#recruitment consultant london

[techtalentconsultant]

Tech Talent Consulting stands as London's leading recruitment agency, expertly linking forward-thinking companies with top-notch tech talent. Our custom-tailored approach guarantees a seamless match for both burgeoning startups and established tech leaders, positioning us as your essential partner for talent acquisition. Elevate your team with premier tech talent today

[ajeetsgroup]

Top Nursing Recruitment Agencies in India

[qfrecruitment]

Looking for a job in the manufacturing industry?

Seeking a manufacturing industry job?

Discover a world of opportunities! From production management to quality control and supply chain, manufacturing offers diverse roles. Steps:

1) Identify desired position

2) Assess skills

3) Network effectively

4) Research target companies

5) Utilize online platforms

6) Stay updated on industry trends.

[covid-safer-hotties]

Patients With Long-COVID Show Abnormal Lung Perfusion Despite Normal CT Scans - Published Sept 12, 2024

VIENNA — Some patients who had mild COVID-19 infection during the first wave of the pandemic and continued to experience postinfection symptoms for at least 12 months after infection present abnormal perfusion despite showing normal CT scans. Researchers at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) 2024 International Congress called for more research to be done in this space to understand the underlying mechanism of the abnormalities observed and to find possible treatment options for this cohort of patients.

Laura Price, MD, PhD, a consultant respiratory physician at Royal Brompton Hospital and an honorary clinical senior lecturer at Imperial College London, London, told Medscape Medical News that this cohort of patients shows symptoms that seem to correlate with a pulmonary microangiopathy phenotype.

"Our clinics in the UK and around the world are full of people with long-COVID, persisting breathlessness, and fatigue. But it has been hard for people to put the finger on why patients experience these symptoms still," Timothy Hinks, associate professor and Wellcome Trust Career Development fellow at the Nuffield Department of Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre senior research fellow, and honorary consultant at Oxford Special Airway Service at Oxford University Hospitals, England, who was not involved in the study, told Medscape Medical News.

The Study Researchers at Imperial College London recruited 41 patients who experienced persistent post-COVID-19 infection symptoms, such as breathlessness and fatigue, but normal CT scans after a mild COVID-19 infection that did not require hospitalization. Those with pulmonary emboli or interstitial lung disease were excluded. The cohort was predominantly female (87.8%) and nonsmokers (85%), with a mean age of 44.7 years. They were assessed over 1 year after the initial infection.

Exercise intolerance was the predominant symptom, affecting 95.1% of the group. A significant proportion (46.3%) presented with myopericarditis, while a smaller subset (n = 5) exhibited dysautonomia. Echocardiography did not reveal pulmonary hypertension. Laboratory findings showed elevated angiotensin-converting enzyme and antiphospholipid antibodies. "These patients are young, female, nonsmokers, and previously healthy. This is not what you would expect to see," Price said. Baseline pulmonary function tests showed preserved spirometry with forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity above 100% predicted. However, diffusion capacity was impaired, with a mean diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) of 74.7%. The carbon monoxide transfer coefficient (KCO) and alveolar volume were also mildly reduced. Oxygen saturation was within normal limits.

These abnormalities were through advanced imaging techniques like dual-energy CT scans and ventilation-perfusion scans. These tests revealed a non-segmental and "patchy" perfusion abnormality in the upper lungs, suggesting that the problem was vascular, Price explained.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing revealed further abnormalities in 41% of patients. Peak oxygen uptake was slightly reduced, and a significant proportion of patients showed elevated alveolar-arterial gradient and dead space ventilation during peak exercise, suggesting a ventilation-perfusion mismatch.

Over time, there was a statistically significant improvement in DLCO, from 70.4% to 74.4%, suggesting some degree of recovery in lung function. However, DLCO values did not return to normal. The KCO also improved from 71.9% to 74.4%, though this change did not reach statistical significance. Most patients (n = 26) were treated with apixaban, potentially contributing to the observed improvement in gas transfer parameters, Price said.

The researchers identified a distinct phenotype of patients with persistent post-COVID-19 infection symptoms characterized by abnormal lung perfusion and reduced gas diffusion capacity, even when CT scans appear normal. Price explains that this pulmonary microangiopathy may explain the persistent symptoms. However, questions remain about the underlying mechanisms, potential treatments, and long-term outcomes for this patient population.

Causes and Treatments Remain a Mystery Previous studies have suggested that COVID-19 causes endothelial dysfunction, which could affect the small blood vessels in the lungs. Other viral infections, such as HIV, have also been shown to cause endothelial dysfunction. However, researchers don't fully understand how this process plays out in patients with COVID-19.

"It is possible these patients have had inflammation insults that have damaged the pulmonary vascular endothelium, which predisposes them to either clotting at a microscopic level or ongoing inflammation," said Hinks.

Some patients (10 out of 41) in the cohort studied by the Imperial College London's researchers presented with Raynaud syndrome, which might suggest a physiological link, Hinks explains. "Raynaud's is a condition of vascular control or dysregulation, and potentially, there could be a common factor contributing to both breathlessness and Raynaud's."

He said there is an encouraging signal that these patients improve over time, but their recovery might be more complex and lengthy than for other patients. "This cohort will gradually get better. But it raises questions and gives a point that there is a true physiological deficit in some people with long-COVID."

Price encouraged physicians to look beyond conventional diagnostic tools when visiting a patient whose CT scan looks normal yet experiences fatigue and breathlessness. Not knowing what causes the abnormalities observed in this group of patients makes treatment extremely challenging. "We need more research to understand the treatment implications and long-term impact of these pulmonary vascular abnormalities in patients with long-COVID," Price concluded.

[beardedmrbean]

Swedish border guards will be given the power to search migrants’ smartphones to look for evidence of destroyed passports under a new law backed by the country’s Right-wing coalition government.

The law comes as part of a wider push to speed up deportations of failed asylum seekers to drive down migrant numbers amid fears they are being recruited by Sweden’s organised crime gangs.

Officials believe migrants entering Sweden may have used their phones to take photos or make digital copies of their passports and other documents before destroying them on arrival at airports.

Swedish officials said identifying migrants was vital if the person was to be deported after a failed claim.

‘They might keep a copy’ 

“Next week, we are going to receive a government inquiry on increasing the possibilities for the police to look into iPhones to find the documents that have been scanned there,” Anders Hall, state secretary for the ministry of justice, told The Telegraph.

“When you tear up your passport, you might keep a copy or a photo in your phone because sooner or later you might need it. This will give the legal basis to make it possible to look for them.”

The government expects the law to enter into force in 2025-26 after a consultation period.

Sweden now says there are more emigrants than immigrants for the first time in 50 years after toughening asylum rules since Ulf Kristersson took power as prime minister in 2022.

His conservative coalition is propped up by the hard-Right Sweden Democrats, which was partly founded by Nazi sympathisers and remains formally outside of government despite coming second in a 2022 election dominated by fears over migration and crime.

“We signed up for a very detailed agreement, both in terms of law enforcement and migration,” Mr Hall said.

“The Sweden Democrats have more or less full insight into what we are doing. We are constantly having meetings with them, telling them where we are implementing.”

He pointed out that despite the uproar over the cooperation with the Sweden Democrats, the opposition Social Democrats had not voted against a single migration measure brought forward by the government.

“There was much ado about nothing,” he said before adding that the Sweden Democrats were being encouraged to be more responsible through their brushes with government.

Mr Hall was in London this week to brief UK government officials on Sweden’s crackdown.

Other measures include boosting voluntary repatriation, as well as deportations.

Naturalised citizens and families of migrants could be offered money to leave the country as part of a voluntary return scheme that already offers refugees about £720 and travel costs.

As a rule, asylum seekers should live in reception centres or return centres rather than private housing. 

The government has also introduced rules making it possible to strip serious criminals or terrorists with dual nationalities of their Swedish nationality.

Accepted refugees are also no longer granted permanent residence as a matter of course. Instead, their claim is reviewed every three years.

Sweden is among EU member states calling for tougher rules to make deporting failed asylum seekers easier.

Increasing numbers of claims are being made by migrants arriving in the bloc legally in airports before destroying their papers.

In 2015, 13 per cent of all asylum claims in the EU were made in Sweden but that was down to 2 per cent in 2023. In 2023, Sweden received 12,600 asylum applications, which is lower than in 2020, and is expected to be the lowest since 1997.

[sticostudios]

DOG POLICE

An crossover show idea i did a while back

The shows like a mix between scooby doo and sam and max, about an independent freelance dog police force who deal with more outlandish and dangerous criminals in the city.

the character bios Dog police bios by dragonboy

Clifford: The head of the force. Tall, strong and imposing, yet a bit airheaded with a kind heart. Cares for the team like a family.

Martha: The team's communications officer and second-in-command, fluent in over a dozen languages. Firm yet caring. Isn't afraid to speak her mind. She makes sure everyone stays focused and not get into too much shenanigans.

Chase: An accomplished police puppy from Toronto, Canada. Leader of the world-famous Paw Patrol rescue team, working with the Dog Police is his "side project". Treats it with the same dedication as his main profession. Often accompanies Bluey and Rockruff so they stay out of trouble

Bluey: A puppy from Brisbane, Australia, and the youngest member of the Dog Police. Kind, innocent and playful. Loves thinking of inventive ways to solve a crime, especially if it can be made into a game. The team needs to be extra careful with her if things get dangerous.

Zoe: Expert detective with a sassy streak. Mastermind at figuring out mysteries and whodunits. Very fashion-concious. Don't mess with her hair!

Snoopy: A dog of little words, but one with a brilliant and analytic mind. Writer in his down-time. Always has his nose in a true crime book.

Aleu: A wolf-dog from Alaska. Zoe's best friend. One of the most hands-on members of the force. Not afraid to get her paws dirty. Ready for a fight even before she knows who shes fighting, though sometimes this approach gets her into trouble.

Courage: Ironically, a big coward, but a lovable one at that. Acts as the team's psychogical consultant. Trying to get over his phobias of a myriad of things. Skilled in cimputer tech and works with Dawkins to locate criminals

Elsa: The team's medic. Often seen training new recruits. Will always help out a fellow teammate or anyone injured at a crime scene. Can be egotistical at times, especially loves playing the leader when Martha or Clifford isn’t around, but always means well.

Dawkins: A Dalmatian from London, England, and just one member of a large family. The team's chief scientific advisor and tech support. Filled with knowledge despite his young age. Hes made several useful gadgets for the team at their disposal

Brian: an average joe-turned-sniffer dog from Quahog, Rhode Island. A ladies' man with a great singing voice and an expansive drinks cabinet. Can sniff out any form of contraband from blocks away. He does get annoyed with some of his teams dumb antics but does get along well with the others

Rockruff: The second-youngest of the team. A fireball of energy who brings a chaotic, upbeat energy to the team. Snarky at times, but in good means and being playful. Though he always has the feeling he's being controlled by someone.

[burntlikethesun]

Fic: First Day

Donna Noble embarks on her first day at UNIT, 10 weeks after we left her at the end of The Giggle.

Donna had opted to use the tube for her first day. Did UNIT Tower have an underground carpark? She made a mental note to ask someone. If she was going to be saving the planet every week, she felt she deserved a commute that didn’t involve standing with her face in someone’s armpit.

Maybe she could have her own personal driver- no, that would be pushing it. She could still barely believe she’d talked her way into a £120k a year job when this time last year she was doing admin on a fixed term contract for a recruitment company which made them all fork out for their own Christmas party. Now she was a permanent employee of an international organisation defending the Earth!

She had taken a while to agree on a start date - first of all her house had been demolished in an alien skirmish, so she felt like she needed to be settled in her new home before embracing her new role as Consultant Advisor under Kate Stewart. She did feel slightly nervous about the responsibility awaiting her, but she had done so much already that surely the only difference was now she was being financially compensated for her efforts. She had been sent a welcome pack in the post, containing her contract for signing and the company handbook that had some old country house emblazoned on the cover. Very National Trust, apart from the almost comical wooden sign reading ‘Ministry of Defence. U.N.I.T. Headquarters. KEEP OUT.’. Clearly they needed to update their marketing materials, now they sit at the top of a swish skyscraper in central London, complete with a helipad, and according to Shirley, the best coffee machine this side of the Milky Way.

The house had been quiet as she left that morning. Shaun was dead to the world after a late night taxi shift, and Sylvia had taken Wilf to visit Minnie. The Doctor, having made himself a resident of her back garden, had recently begun reaching out to old friends, now that he had an address to visit. She was charmed to meet Ace, bemused by the robot dog trundling alongside her, and Tegan made her hoot with laughter when she gave the Doctor a dressing down for saying she used to complain a lot. Jo Jones had embraced her so enthusiastically that she knocked her mother’s favourite vase off a table (thank God, it looked hideous), and she’d been overjoyed to host a raucous wine night when Martha finally found out about her getting her memories back and rushed round with a bag of clinking bottles to make up for lost time.

This morning there was a square patch on the grass which the TARDIS had vacated the previous day, as the Doctor had decided to pay a visit to an elderly couple named Ben and Polly in India, and a time space machine is less hassle than Heathrow. Rose had begged to go too but Donna had reminded her that she had mocks soon, and last time she’d gone on a daytrip with the Doctor she’d missed a week of school as they’d ended up in Ancient Athens, returning with their tails between their legs. As consolation, she let Rose stay overnight with another girl from school to revise for their exams. She was doing her A Levels but was disengaged outside of Art and Design. Maybe UNIT had a work experience program? Not out in the field of course, she didn’t want to encourage that; maybe they needed a new logo designing, or a rethink on their uniforms. She could see Rose sketching out a new look for the troops, the current all black look didn’t compare to the chic red berets she remembered from the ATMOS factory. Although knowing Rose’s taste they’d end up all furry with googly eyes on their helmets and pipe cleaners and pom poms on their chests. Maybe not, then.

Walking through the automatic shining glass doors stamped with the organisation’s insignia, Donna’s stomach threatened to do backflips. She refused to let misplaced imposter syndrome spoil this for her. She’d saved the universe, every universe, for crying out loud. If she could survive being locked in with rabid Ood, sneak through a Sontaran battleship undetected, deduct that a generations-long war had only lasted a week, and outthink the Not-things, she was ready for whatever life working for UNIT could throw at her.

“Hello, darling!”, a voice sang out, and Donna looked across the reception area and saw a familiar mane of red hair. “I came down to meet you!” beamed Mel. 

“You’ve not come to let me down gently then?” Donna laughed, still slightly nervous, but the butterflies inside her calming in the presence of her friend.

“Don’t be ridiculous, come on, let's get you set up upstairs.”, Mel said, whisking her briskly to the lifts, waving to the receptionist to let them through the security barriers. “There’s so much to do! We need to get your photo ID pass sorted, your hair looks gorgeous by the way, and - oh you’ve arrived just in time, our Shadow Proclamation liaison is off sick and we’ve had communication last night from the Judoon that they need jurisdiction to arrest a minor royal for trafficking Graskes - complete crisis. Kate’s on it but needs support arranging rendition.”

“Judoon? Space Rhinos, yoyo velcro tesco fomo; we’re already acquainted.” Donna replied as the doors slid open with a soft ‘ding’. “Let me at ‘em”.

[shekhardiwakar]

The Global and Indian Demand for CFA 2024

The finance industry is changing quickly, and there is a greater need than ever for CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) specialists in India and around the world. As 2024 approaches, let’s examine why finance aficionados choose the CFA certificate and how it might lead to outstanding professional chances.

Global Demand: A Rising Tide

The CFA designation is still the gold standard for investment professionals around the world in 2024. Employers are increasingly seeking professionals with a strong foundation in ethics, a global perspective, and in-depth knowledge of financial analysis — exactly what CFA charter holders offer. CFAs are in high demand across continents, from asset management companies to global banks, making it a genuinely global credential.

Top financial centers like Singapore, London, and New York are still vying for CFA expertise, which raises pay and benefits. As global markets become more complicated, CFAs are in high demand due to their proficiency in risk management, portfolio analysis, and investment navigation.

Indian Demand: A Booming Finance Hub 🇮🇳

Nearer to home, India is rapidly becoming as a major financial hub, and there is an urgent need for certified public accountants. Professionals with a strategic edge and knowledge of the global financial scene are sought after by Indian businesses and financial institutions. CFAs are finding a variety of jobs in investment banking, equity research, and financial consultancy, from Bangalore’s burgeoning startup scene to Mumbai’s thriving stock market.

Why CFA is a Smart Career Move in 2024

Comprehensive Knowledge: The CFA program is a well-rounded credential that covers everything from corporate finance to equity analysis and alternative investments.

Global Recognition: In the highly competitive finance employment market, the CFA certificate is respected and acknowledged globally, making you stand out.

Opportunities for Networking: By joining CFA societies worldwide, you can connect with a strong network of recruiters, mentors, and finance professionals.

High Return on Investment: Taking the CFA course can lead to worldwide employment opportunities, increased compensation, and career improvements.

Study with the Experts at Zell Education

Zell Education is available to help if you’re serious about becoming a certified financial advisor. Beyond textbooks, our knowledgeable faculty offers study programs, individualized coaching, and real-world insights. You will be ready to take the CFA tests and establish yourself in the finance industry with our help.

Get ahead in 2024 by realizing your financial professional goals and unlocking your potential with the CFA!

[witchkillr]

A LOOSE TIMELINE OF EVENTS, or: how agat.ha hark.ness became arguably the most wanted witch in western history. this timeline is heavily headcanon-based and does not adhere to aaa especially strictly, though that is its primary influence.

1675-1693. the harkness baby is born cursed, or so her mother says. she is a strange child from her first moments. she never cries, never, and develops into an insatiable hunger for knowledge that eclipses all else: friendship, community, caring. this is due in part to her strange and dangerous power, which she seeks to control and which, when it manifests, becomes a lightning rod for her mother's abuse and neglect. it is otherwise, quite simply, in her nature.

in 1693, she is put on trial before her coven for the crimes of stealing "knowledge beyond her age and station" and "practicing dark magick". they attack her, she siphons them to death and in so doing, attracts the attention of "rio", whose identity she won't discern until later.

for the next 60 years, she runs a variety of cons across new england. in that time, the salem seven grow up and come looking, leaving agatha to a nomadic lifestyle that suits her snake oil saleswoman persona just fine, actually. she continues to run into (and slowly fall in love with) rio consistently.

eventually she runs out of towns to flee to that a. don't see her as a fraud and b. won't attract the attention of the seven, so she bargains her way aboard a trade vessel, billing herself as a protection witch who can ensure clear skies and safe passage.

1753-1796 are spent becoming one of the more infamous lady pirates in history. she has a myth to rival blackbeard's, and not only makes a killing in gold, but in knowledge, too - she captures witches in transit, tortures them for information, and steals all the interesting books from aristocratic vessels for herself, leaving piles of bodies for her beloved to enjoy.

this pattern grows boring after a time, and so she settles in the english countryside with her newfound wealth, eventually coming to own a sizeable estate in london (~1813). having just turned the corner on her second century, she still appears young enough to be bombarded with countless questions as to her marriage prospects. at rio's sultry suggestion, she puts a viscount under her spell, marries him, and kills him within the year.

the widow harkness makes a series of wise investments, here, that will pay dividends well into her future.

it is the second husband's suspiciously tragic death (~1840) that renders mayfair inhospitable for agatha. having heard whispers of a witching settlement on the american frontier, she and rio settle awhile in the forests of colorado.

nicholas is born in 1856, at which point agatha's relationship with rio becomes irrevocably strained, but she keeps that from their son as best she can, moving properly into new salem with him.

agatha loses her son, (effectively) divorces her wife and acquires the darkhold in 1862. in her rage and grief, she razes new salem to the ground (but allows the children to go free - this is a mistake she will make over and over again) and goes looking for the next place to assimilate into.

that place is new orleans, where she promptly starts up a deeply homoerotic feud with marie laveau while she dedicates herself to studying the darkhold. the family will hate her for generations to come, despite her enduring fondness for zoe.

the titanic and hindenburg are rituals, designed to unlock the full potential of the book of the damned. the fact that her ex-wife is drawn to both tragedies is an unfortunate side effect. in between the two, she spends some time doing silent films.

she spends the 1940s in nyc, working on and off as a consultant for the us army thanks to peggy carter's recruitment efforts. (yes, that is code for "they fucked nasty", thank you to that one poster for putting it so eloquently)

the most important thing about the 1950s for agatha is her car, and an unfortunate run-in with the sorcerer supreme in tibet.

for the next twenty years, she's really into the music scene. dolly parton, then lorna wu. only one of those seductions was successful. bet you can't guess which.

yes, she is a card-carrying member of dykes on bikes. yes, she does have a harley hotrod with purple flames on the sides.

it's pretty much the usual scum and villainy until the snap. agatha does not blip. she is a cockroach. she doesn't know whether it was pure luck, the darkhold, or rio looking out for her somewhere, but she spends those four years taking advantage of desperate, lonely witches looking to use the road to get their loved ones back.

enter wanda maximoff. the rest, as they say, is history.

[techtalentconsultant]

Tech Talent Consulting: Your premier recruitment agency in London, specializing in connecting innovative companies with exceptional tech talent. Our bespoke approach ensures the perfect fit for both startups and established tech giants, making us the go-to partner for your hiring needs. Elevate your team with the right talent today

[mariacallous]

Every Briton of a certain age remembers where they were the night Tony Blair became prime minister. On the evening of May 1, 1997, drivers on the London Underground announced the exit polls to passengers. Revelers celebrated with bottles of sparkling wine on the streets. The party faithful assembled at the Southbank culture complex by the River Thames where the campaign anthem, D:Ream’s “Things Can Only Get Better,” was blared out.

Now the band, whose song was synonymous with Blair’s victory, says it doesn’t want it played this time around. Its members blame the legacy of Iraq, but it’s not just that. The song feels out of place; the overall mood is sour.

The naive mood of optimism that followed Blair into office disappeared with that war; yet the “New Labour” project proved technically resilient. Blair won his third electoral victory in 2005, only to hand over power, reluctantly, to his erstwhile friend and archrival, Gordon Brown, in 2007. Brown hung on for three years, but the project was exhausted after 13 years.

Everything is relative. It is salutary to remember that the Conservatives have lasted one year longer, from 2010 to 2024­—14 clownish, desultory, unproductive years. Five prime ministers, one Brexit nightmare, and endless corruption scandals, and yet they continue to plough on with their customary bluster.

The paradox of this moment is that Keir Starmer engenders almost none of the enthusiasm that accompanied Blair even though the present Labour leader has turned his party’s fortunes around and is on the cusp of sweeping the Tories out of power. According to opinion polls, Starmer could achieve a landslide even greater than Blair’s, consigning the Tories to the wilderness for a generation.

He has done so by promising as little as possible, focusing on six inoffensive and general pledges—such as cutting waiting times for doctors’ treatments, recruiting new teachers, and cracking down on antisocial behavior to which nobody could object. This is a direct copy from Blair in 1997, a decontamination strategy in which you give your rivals nothing to target. It has worked spectacularly well. The increasingly desperate outgoing prime minister, Rishi Sunak, has taken to warning voters not to “surrender”—alarmist talk that has invited mockery.

Starmer cruises on, repeating his mantras such as stability, responsibility, and the vague notion of change. To most voters, this will suffice—anything to kick the Conservatives out. Unlike the naive optimism of 1997, disappointment has already been factored in.

Is this a reflection of the almost complete loss of confidence by the political mainstream across the democratic world, or might this instead be later seen by historians as a masterful example of expectation management? In contrast to Blair, the showman, could the dourer Starmer achieve at least as much during his first term in office? And could he entrench Labour hegemony for at least as long a period as his predecessor did?

Starmer has brought some of Blair’s advisors of yesteryear into his core team. Others are consulted more informally. As for the man himself, Starmer noted recently: “I talk to Tony a lot about the period just before ’97, because obviously I’m very interested in talking to people who have won elections and taken a party from opposition into government.” Starmer reminded his TV interviewer caustically that Labour isn’t very good at winning—only three times since the war has it snatched power from the Tories, the other two occasions being in 1945 and 1964.

Each man’s thinking has been heavily influenced by that record. They share an assessment of Britain as a Conservative and conservative country. Labour has been the imposter. Starmer has pared back his manifesto proposals to the bare minimum—removing tax breaks on private schools to pay for the more underserved, a public energy company, and a minimal increase in workers’ rights.

Earlier, more radical ideas on the environment and on tackling child poverty were watered down. Little of any consequence is said about Brexit and the damage it has caused. The tactic is simple: Don’t rock the boat. Don’t challenge the political and economic fundamentals; instead, do what you can at the margins—if necessary, by stealth.

In the end, Blair did preside over radical improvements in public services—the fabled National Health Service (NHS), education, public transport, and social. But he rarely advertised the investments that had been made.

Perhaps a more accurate comparison would be with the first administration of Harold Wilson, one of only three previous Labour leaders to win elections since the war (the other being Clement Attlee in 1945). In his first six years in power, from 1964 to 1970, Wilson presided over a government that was technocratic but also radical.

More than his predecessors, Blair stood out most of all on the international stage. He presided triumphantly at European Union summits (even if he did little to tackle the intrinsic hostility engendered by the right-wing media). He was buddies with then-U.S. President Bill Clinton, going on to woo the likes of President Pervez Musharraf in Pakistan and Russian President Vladimir Putin to support the invasion of Afghanistan after 9/11 on behalf of his new friend, U.S. President George W. Bush.

Blair wrapped himself in the flag, but then it was a more optimistic union jack, the pre-millennium era of the Spice Girls and Cool Britannia. The legacy of 1989 and the collapse of communism still resonated a decade and more later. Into the early/mid-2000s, Blair-land was all about liberal democracy and free markets walking hand in hand, convincing recalcitrant autocrats of the errors of their ways. Globalization and free trade would deliver wealth. In the U.K., U.S., and across the EU, such thinking has been largely repudiated.

Two decades on, in these darker post-pandemic times, with war stalking Europe and the Middle East, with climate change targets being missed thanks to a popular backlash, with populists dominating public discourse and accreting power, Starmer ensures that the British flag accompanies every video or photograph of him. The word accompanying these pictures is “change,” but the subliminal message is “security.”

Who can blame him? Starmer has been dealt a miserable deck of cards. Unlike Blair, who was bequeathed a healthy exchequer by his Conservative predecessor, John Major—an underrated premier—the new man in 10 Downing Street inherits a moribund economy, the smallest military since Napoleonic times, an NHS on its knees, schools having to deal with leaking roofs, and post-Brexit bureaucratic obstacles that make trade infinitely harder. Thanks to Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, and to a (slightly) lesser degree Theresa May and Sunak, Britain’s role is largely trashed around the world.

Starmer struggles to smile in the way Blair did. He doesn’t gladden the hearts, and he certainly isn’t promising the world. He is a man for his times, one of the few grown-up mainstream politicians still standing. With expectations so low, it will be hard for him to disappoint. Might that present him with an opportunity?

[namor-shuri]

Marvel Studios: Voices Rising - The Music Of Wakanda Forever [Series]

Episode #1: "Nigeria: Past is Present" [available on Disney +] [w/ time stamps to follow along]

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

▻ "Soundtrack's like this just don't happen anymore, with the high percentage of the songs that are embedded in the movie, and to this level of cultural specificity." - Ryan Coogler [Director] [0:00]

▻ "Here you have a story that intertwines people [Wakandans & Talokanil] of beautiful, rich ethnicities. What do you do with that as a composer? You use it!” - Letitia Wright [Princess Shuri] [0:14]

▻ We learn that Ryan Coogler and Ludwig Göransson first started off as friends, meeting one another at a film school [USC]. They then hit it off from their joint love of Swedish music. "They make magic together, and they seem to just pick up where the other has left off. They just have this seamless way of getting in each other's heads and hearts, and it ends up creating such incredible music.” - Lupita Nyong'o [Nakia] [1:51]

▻ The first Black Panther soundtrack is heavily inspired by Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther and his overall character. After his passing, they had to go back to square one. "I couldn't really imagine what the movie [soundtrack] would feel or look like without Chadwick in it. So, I'm basically going into this experience starting from scratch." - Ludwig Göransson [Composer] [2:42]

▻ They [Ryan and Ludwig] chose to go to Nigeria, Lagos to recruit artists and composers, it being a major hotspot for music in the world currently. "What Lagos is to music right now is what London was to music in its heyday. What New York was to hip-hop in the 90's. I genuinely believe the most exciting music in the world is being made in Lagos." - Seni Saraki [Music Consultant] [3:16]

▻ "Ludwig came to Lagos, because he, as a creative, understands the need to feed off of the energy of a particular place." - Fireboy DML [Artist] [4:04]

▻ There were a huge mixture of both contemporary artists [ie. singers, rappers, etc] and traditional artists [ie. musicians, instrumentalists for the score such as, but not limited to: Jedalo Percussion Ensemble, Fusion Nigeria] coming together to create this soundtrack. Instruments such as, but not limited to, the: sato drum, sakara drum, iyaálù bata, omele bata, kakaki horn, ojà flute, goje were all used on the traditional side. "Everyday we had different sessions with musicians that would come from different tribes from the Igbo, from the Hausa, from Yoruba and they would have their own instruments and different types of set of drums." - Ludwig Göransson [Composer] [5:57] Ryan and Ludwig are seen workshopping ideas of scenes and where musical segments may exist in the movie during these musical sessions [7:28]

▻ "He [Ludwig] and Ryan had been talking about it for years. ‘Let's write songs just for this film.’ There's no licensed tracks." - Monica Sonand [Score Supervisor] [9:39]

▻ “The generation that I'm in right now is speaking Afrobeats. We are all doing our own things individually, but as a unit together, we are pushing the culture. This is Afrobeats. This is Niger. This is Lagos. We're taking that old culture with us to the world." - Fireboy DML [Artist] [10:48] His song “Coming back for you" was used towards the end of the movie in the scene where Shuri is shown planting the heart-shaped herb [12:15]

▻ Ryan and Ludwig wanted to have artists who sang in Xhosa [the language of the Wakandans] so they did their research and flew out artists from South Africa to Nigeria to meet with them. The music style “Amapiano” had the sound that they were looking for, which plays on most South African radio. "It's so unique and it comes out of the club scene there [South Africa] and it makes you want to dance. What I love about that music [Amapiano] is that it feels futuristic to me." - Ludwig Göransson [Composer] [15:05]

▻ Ryan, Ludwig and artist Bloody Civilian are shown brainstorming Bloody’s beats pack she made for them, discussing where her track may exist. She showed them her song “How to kill a man. “I was very nervous, but the environment felt safe and everyone's creativity was just going. It didn't really feel like work at some point." - Bloody Civilian [Artist + Producer] [23:04] Her final track in the movie “Wake up" ft Rema is about "pushing yourself regardless of the things that try to pull you back." - Bloody Civilian [Artist + Producer] [24:33]

▻ Some of the African producers involved were ecstatic to have representation of a variety of African artists and sounds on this Marvel movie and it’s soundtrack. "I think the album sounds like Wakanda!" - Osarumen Osamuyi [Music Producer] [25:28]

▻ "I've been able to travel here [Nigeria] with Ryan, one of my closest friends. Doing something like this together where we can share this experience has been such a blessing." - Ludwig Göransson [Composer] [25:52] "It was really important for us [Ludwig and him] to come to West Africa. Myself being African-American, a lot of my heritage is from here like most African-Americans. The biggest take away for me is the personal connection that I have myself. I'm constantly looking at people saying ‘that person looks like my cousin, that person looks like my friend, that person looks like my brother.' That experience is one that's very different from being a black man that was born and raised in a predominantly white country. Folks born on the continent often take for granted to just walk down the street and everybody looks like them. That wasn't my truth. That wasn’t my reality. It's a very strange experience to fly for thousands of miles and land somewhere you've never been, but it feels like home. There's a beauty to that, but also a sadness that comes with it.” - Ryan Coogler [Director] [26:06]

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Soundtrack: [tracks referenced in this episode]

ʀɪʜᴀɴɴᴀ: ʟɪғᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ / ʙᴜʀɴᴀ ʙᴏʏ: ᴀʟᴏɴᴇ / ғᴏᴜᴅᴇᴏ̨ᴜsʜ + ʟᴜᴅᴡɪɢ ɢᴏ̈ʀᴀɴssᴏɴ: ᴄᴏɴ ʟᴀ ʙʀɪsᴀ / ᴛᴇᴍs: ɴᴏ ᴡᴏᴍᴀɴ ɴᴏ ᴄʀʏ / ᴀᴅɴ ᴍᴀʏᴀ ᴄᴏʟᴇᴄᴛɪᴠᴏ + ᴘᴀᴛ ʙᴏʏ: ʟᴀᴀʏʟɪ’ ᴋᴜxᴀ’ᴀɴᴏ’ᴏɴᴇ / ғɪʀᴇʙᴏʏ ᴅᴍʟ: ᴄᴏᴍɪɴɢ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ғᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ / ʙʟᴜᴇ ʀᴏᴊᴏ: ɪɴғʀᴀᴍᴜɴᴅᴏ / ʀɪʜᴀɴɴᴀ: ʙᴏʀɴ ᴀɢᴀɪɴ / ᴛᴏʙᴇ ɴᴡɪɢᴡᴇ + ғᴀᴛ ɴᴡɪɢᴡᴇ: ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ɪᴛ, ʙᴜᴛ ɴᴏ / ᴅʙɴ ɢᴏɢᴏ + sɪɴᴏ ᴍsᴏʟᴏ: ʟᴏᴠᴇ & ʟᴏʏᴀʟᴛʏ [ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ] / sɴᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴀ ᴘʀᴏᴅᴜᴄᴛ + ᴇ-40: ʟᴀ ᴠɪᴅᴀ / ᴀᴍᴀᴀʀᴀᴇ: ᴀ ʙᴏᴅʏ, ᴀ ᴄᴏғғɪɴ / ᴠɪᴠɪʀ ᴏ̨ᴜɪɴᴛᴀɴᴀ: ᴀ́ʀʙᴏʟᴇs ʙᴀᴊᴏ ᴇʟ ᴍᴀʀ / sᴛᴏʀᴍᴢʏ: ɪɴᴛᴇʀʟᴜᴅᴇ / ᴏɢ ᴅᴀʏᴠ + ғᴜᴛᴜʀᴇ: ʟɪᴍᴏɴᴄᴇʟʟᴏ / ᴄᴋᴀʏ + ᴘɪɴᴋᴘᴀɴᴛʜᴇʀᴇss: ᴀɴʏᴀ ᴍᴍɪʀɪ / ʙʟᴏᴏᴅʏ ᴄɪᴠɪʟɪᴀɴ + ʀᴇᴍᴀ: ᴡᴀᴋᴇ ᴜᴘ / ᴀʟᴇᴍᴀ́ɴ + ʀᴇᴍᴀ: ᴘᴀɴᴛᴇʀᴀ / ᴅʙɴ ɢᴏɢᴏ + sɪɴᴏ ᴍsᴏʟᴏ: ᴊᴇʟᴇ / ᴄᴀʟʟᴇ x ᴠɪᴅᴀ + ғᴏᴜᴅᴇᴏ̨ᴜsʜ: ɴᴏ ᴅɪɢᴀs ᴍɪ ɴᴏᴍʙʀᴇ / ɢᴜᴀᴅᴀʟᴜᴘᴇ ᴅᴇ ᴊᴇsᴜ́s ᴄʜᴀɴ ᴘᴏᴏᴛ: ᴍɪ ᴘᴜᴇʙʟᴏ

Score: [tracks referenced in this episode]

ʟᴜᴅᴡɪɢ ɢᴏ̈ʀᴀɴssᴏɴ: ᴡᴀᴋᴀɴᴅᴀ ғᴏʀᴇᴠᴇʀ / ʟᴜᴅᴡɪɢ ɢᴏ̈ʀᴀɴssᴏɴ: ᴛ’ᴄʜᴀʟʟᴀ / ʟᴜᴅᴡɪɢ ɢᴏ̈ʀᴀɴssᴏɴ: ʏɪʙᴀᴍʙᴇ! / ʟᴜᴅᴡɪɢ ɢᴏ̈ʀᴀɴssᴏɴ: ɴᴀᴍᴏʀ / ʟᴜᴅᴡɪɢ ɢᴏ̈ʀᴀɴssᴏɴ + ʙᴀᴀʙᴀ ᴍᴀᴀʟ: ᴡᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇ ʜᴏᴍᴇ / ʟᴜᴅᴡɪɢ ɢᴏ̈ʀᴀɴssᴏɴ + ʙᴜsɪsᴡᴀ: ᴡᴇ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡʜɪsᴘᴇʀ / ʟᴜᴅᴡɪɢ ɢᴏ̈ʀᴀɴssᴏɴ + ᴊᴏʀᴊᴀ sᴍɪᴛʜ: ʜᴇ ᴡᴀsɴ’ᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ / ʟᴜᴅᴡɪɢ ɢᴏ̈ʀᴀɴssᴏɴ + ᴠɪᴠɪʀ ᴏ̨ᴜɪɴᴛᴀɴᴀ: sɪʀᴇɴs / ʟᴜᴅᴡɪɢ ɢᴏ̈ʀᴀɴssᴏɴ: ɴᴀᴍᴏʀ’s ᴛʜʀᴏɴᴇ / ʟᴜᴅᴡɪɢ ɢᴏ̈ʀᴀɴssᴏɴ: ʏᴜᴄᴀᴛᴀ́ɴ / ᴠɪᴠɪʀ ᴏ̨ᴜɪɴᴛᴀɴᴀ: ᴀ́ʀʙᴏʟᴇs ʙᴀᴊᴏ ᴇʟ ᴍᴀʀ [ғɪʟᴍ ᴠᴇʀsɪᴏɴ] / ғᴏᴜᴅᴇᴏ̨ᴜsʜ + ʟᴜᴅᴡɪɢ ɢᴏ̈ʀᴀɴssᴏɴ: ᴄᴏɴ ʟᴀ ʙʀɪsᴀ [ғɪʟᴍ ᴠᴇʀsɪᴏɴ]

Episodes: 1 2 3

[msclaritea]

Levi Strauss heir will reportedly challenge London Breed in 2024

SF Mayor London Breed will reportedly face another 2024 challenger: a Levi Strauss heir

Alec Regimbal, SFGATE

Updated: July 18, 2023 10:02 a.m.

"An heir to the Levi Strauss fortune will reportedly challenge San Francisco Mayor London Breed for her seat in next year’s election, according to a report from the San Francisco Standard. 

What to know about the Pier 39 sea lions

The report said Daniel Lurie has yet to formally announce his candidacy or file the paperwork necessary to begin raising money, but several sources who have knowledge of his plans told the Standard that he’s been “hosting gatherings to rally support.” The Standard also reported that Lurie has begun recruiting staff and is being helped by Tyler Law — a political consultant whose firm has assisted in state and national races, including the presidential campaigns of Barack Obama and Pete Buttigieg. 

A San Francisco native, Lurie is the founder of Tipping Point Community, a nonprofit aimed at combating poverty in the Bay Area. Lurie is also the son of Mimi Haas, who married the late philanthropist Peter Haas — the great-grandnephew of Levi Strauss — after her divorce from Brian Lurie, a prominent rabbi. Mimi Haas owns 11% of Levi Strauss & Co. shares, making her the single largest shareholder in a company that’s worth more than $5 billion today.  

Lurie did not reply to a request for comment from SFGATE.  

The news that Lurie is reportedly planning to launch a campaign comes at time when San Francisco voters are largely unhappy with Breed’s performance as mayor. A pair of recently released polls show that voters are concerned primarily about drugs, public safety, homelessness and housing affordability, and generally disapprove of the way Breed is handling those issues. The mayor’s office did not immediately reply to a request for comment from SFGATE about Lurie’s reported plans.

The only prominent challenger to Breed who has formally announced their campaign for mayor is District 11 Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, who told the San Francisco Chronicle in May, “People are very dissatisfied with the current mayor, dissatisfied with the condition of the city, and they’re looking for change.” (The Chronicle and SFGATE are both owned by Hearst but have separate newsrooms.)

Safaí, like Breed, is seen as a moderate Democrat, which sets them apart from the more progressive members of the city’s political arena. A source close to Lurie told the Standard that they believe he can offer a “similar but fresher alternative to the moderate Democratic platform of Breed.” That means, unless a prominent progressive enters the race, voters might be choosing among candidates with similar platforms.

Apart from his work with Tipping Point Community — he stepped down as CEO in 2019 — Lurie is mostly known for his ties to the Levi Strauss fortune. In 2021, he reportedly purchased an estate in Point Dume, a promontory on the coast of Malibu, for $15.5 million.

The Standard reported that Lurie lives in Potrero Hill with his wife Becca Prowda, who works for California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and their two kids."

And Governor Gavin Newsom is a World Economic Forum puppet, having been involved with that totally unregulated, foreign body who become giddy at the thought of running the entire planet. I don't get San Franciscans not understanding what's going on. I looked up Mayor London Breed, and while she's not perfect, Breed has enacted a lot of policy changes to improve the city. The fact that there are so many local 'Progressives' against her, tells me Mayor Breed is actually worth keeping. Note that it's not just Progressives but the Predatory classes, like Musk and his Silicon Valley ilk who are trying to run her out of office. We all saw similar coups go down in New York and Chicago and the jury is still out on Mayor Eric Adams, who recently tried cutting the budget of N.Y. libraries. But Mayor Breed stopped a new private prison from being built. I thought that was something these faketivists wanted.

COVID-19 response

'San Francisco issued a state of emergency because of COVID-19 in February 2020, before the federal government suggested doing so, and San Francisco became one of the first American cities to go into lockdown. On March 2, Breed advised residents, "Prepare for possible disruption from an outbreak". Under the state of emergency, private gyms were required to shut down, but the city government petitioned Cal/OSHA for a waiver to allow various government employees to continue to use gyms in city-owned facilities, which were allowed to continue to operate.

On April 24, 2020, Breed reported that her city's PPE orders had been diverted to other cities and countries. She said, "We’ve had issues of our orders being relocated by our suppliers in China. For example, we had isolation gowns on their way to San Francisco and they were diverted to France. We’ve had situations when things we’ve ordered that have gone through Customs were confiscated by FEMA to be diverted to other locations." Wiki

We never got an investigation into what was going on with the PPE gowns and other equipment during covid. I'm guessing certain parties don't want it brought up because someone has to explain why, if Trump and Kushner were only sending equipment to states that support him, while having their Chinese allies block delivery to cities such as San Francisco, how did Bernie Sanders and Vermont come out on top? There were NO interruptions in their supply.

How much is the Strauss family worth?

$4 billion

Their collective net worth is over $4 billion. And revenues are up nearly 30% from 2020. There are also plans in motion to expand and innovate the business by offering a more convenient shopping experience using AI. The company has also acquired the major active wear brand, Beyond Yoga.Apr 1, 2022

[scotianostra]

Happy birthday Scottish weather presenter Carol Kirkwood born on May 29th, 1962 in Morar.

Born Carol MacKellaig, her parents ran a hotel at Morar, she has 7 sisters and brothers.

Carol was educated at Lochaber High School in Fort William before studying Commerce at Napier College in Edinburgh, qualifying with a BA. Carol joined the BBC’s secretarial reserve in London and it wasn’t long before she was presenting short slots on Radio Scotland, Radio 2 and 4.

She got married to hockey player Jimmy Kirkwood from Northern Ireland, they divorced in 2008. at the time Carol took a break from broadcasting, in recruitment and then as a training consultant for a management consultancy, returning to now defunct cable TV channel, Windsor TV, latterly called Wire TV, along with Sacha Baron Cohen, rejoining the BBC as a freelance reporter in 1993, also working on Independent television for Harlech Television (HTV) in a bi-monthly show Talking Issues.

In 1996 Carol started doing the job we know her best for, on The Weather Channel but after it closed down she underwent training under the guidance of the BBC at the Met Office, and returned to the BBC after her training, where sh has been ever since, working mainly on the morning news programmes. She presented the BBC’s The Weather Show and is also a regular contributor and reporter for The One Show.

Kirkwood won awards for best TV Weather Presenter in 2003, 2008, 2009 and 2012–2017.She received an Honorary Fellowship from Inverness College, part of University of the Highlands and Islands in 2015.

Kirkwood has been in a relationship with her now fiancé since 2021 but has kept his identity mostly hidden from the public, having only referred to him by his first name.

However, it's now been revealed that the BBC Breakfast star's fiancé is fitness fan Steve Randall, who at 47 is about 13 years Carol's junior. I can't see any news on a wedding date as yet, but I have to say, he is a lucky guy!

[7hrrecuitmentuk]

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Their employer branded careers sites are dedicated minisites that help organizations highlight their open vacancies. Jobseekers can learn about the organization, its culture, the benefits it offers and much more to make more informed career choices. Many people are of the assumption that working with a travel agent might cost them extra money. Not only do the best travel agents in London offer exclusive deals and offers but can also advise you the best time to book your travel in order to save more. A travel agent helps you search out the best options keeping in mind your requirements and budget. In most cases, they have access to information about rates that a consumer might not have, thus helping you save both time and money. Top Travel Recruitment Agency in London offer vacation as well as transfers and accommodation suggestions based on their research and experience within your set budget.