#Emerging Markets in Packaging

[datastring]

Automatic Food Wrapping and Packaging Machines Market Set to Hit $6.2 Billion by 2035

The global market for Automatic Food Wrapping and Packaging Machines is expected to grow significantly, with industry revenue projected to reach $6.2 billion by 2035, up from $2.3 billion in 2024. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2035.

Detailed Analysis - https://datastringconsulting.com/industry-analysis/automatic-food-wrapping-and-packaging-machines-market-research-report

These machines play a pivotal role across various industries including food production, bakery and confectionery, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. The growing demand for packaged food, advancements in automation technology, and the increasing importance of food safety are key drivers of this market expansion.

Competitive Landscape and Industry Leadership

The Automatic Food Wrapping and Packaging Machines market is characterized by intense competition, with several leading players vying for market share. Major companies in the market include:

ABB Ltd

Bosch Packaging Technology

Coesia SpA

Fuji Machinery Co Ltd

Illinois Tool Works Inc

Krones AG

Multivac Sepp Haggenmuller SE & Co KG

Nichrome India Ltd

Oystar Holding GmbH

Sealed Air Corp

SIG Combibloc Group AG

Tetra Laval International SA

These companies are continuously innovating to enhance automation, increase packaging efficiency, and meet stringent food safety regulations, all of which are helping them secure leadership positions in the market.

Key Growth Drivers and Emerging Opportunities

The market’s growth is fueled by several key factors:

Demand for Packaged Food: The increasing consumer preference for ready-to-eat and convenient food products is driving the demand for efficient and cost-effective packaging solutions.

Advancements in Automation: Automation in food packaging is enhancing operational efficiency, reducing human intervention, and improving packaging consistency.

Stringent Food Safety Regulations: The rising focus on food safety is pushing manufacturers to adopt advanced packaging solutions that extend shelf life and ensure hygiene.

Smart and Sustainable Packaging: The shift towards smart, eco-friendly, and sustainable packaging solutions is creating new opportunities in the market.

Strategic Collaborations: Partnerships between equipment manufacturers and packaging material providers are driving innovation and expanding market reach.

Regional Dynamics and Supply Chain Evolution

North America and Europe are the most active and leading regions in the Automatic Food Wrapping and Packaging Machines market. Both regions benefit from advanced manufacturing capabilities, strong regulatory frameworks, and high consumer demand for packaged food. However, emerging markets such as Vietnam, Nigeria, and Indonesia are becoming increasingly important as new growth hubs. Companies are expanding their operations into these regions to diversify revenue streams and capitalize on growing demand.

Despite challenges such as high equipment costs, maintenance expenses, and the need for skilled labor, the supply chain from raw material acquisition to machine manufacturing and end-user distribution is expected to evolve. Strategic advancements in emerging markets will further contribute to the expansion of the industry.

About DataString Consulting

DataString Consulting is a trusted market research and business intelligence provider, offering a comprehensive range of solutions for both B2C and B2B markets. With over 30 years of combined industry experience, DataString delivers actionable insights that help businesses make informed, strategic decisions.

The firm specializes in opportunity assessment, competitive intelligence, and market forecasting, ensuring that clients are equipped with the tools and knowledge to navigate high-growth industries. DataString’s customized research services are tailored to meet specific business objectives and support long-term strategic success.

[techninja]

Unlocking the Potential: A Comprehensive Overview of the Printing Ink Market

Introduction:

The printing ink market is a crucial component of the printing industry, supporting various sectors such as packaging, publishing, commercial printing, and more. As technology continues to evolve and environmental concerns gain prominence, the printing ink market is experiencing significant shifts. This comprehensive overview delves into the key aspects shaping the printing ink market landscape.

Market Analysis:

The printing ink market is witnessing steady growth, driven by advancements in printing technology and the increasing demand for printed materials across industries. With the rise of digital printing, there is a growing need for high-quality, versatile printing inks compatible with diverse printing processes.

Industry Trends:

Several trends are influencing the printing ink market, including:

Shift Towards Digital Printing: Digital printing technologies are gaining traction due to their efficiency, customization capabilities, and reduced setup times. This trend is driving the demand for digital inks tailored for various substrates.

Sustainability: Environmental concerns are driving the development of eco-friendly printing inks formulated with renewable resources and fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Manufacturers are focusing on sustainable ink formulations to meet regulatory requirements and consumer preferences.

Innovation: Continuous innovation in ink formulations is enhancing print quality, durability, and compatibility with different substrates. Nano-based inks, UV-curable inks, and specialty inks are among the innovations driving market growth.

Emerging Markets: Emerging economies are witnessing rapid industrialization and urbanization, leading to increased demand for printed materials across sectors such as packaging, textiles, and advertising. This presents lucrative opportunities for ink manufacturers to expand their presence in these regions.

Ink Types:

Printing inks are categorized based on their formulation and application, including:

Lithographic Inks: Used in offset printing for high-quality commercial printing applications such as magazines, catalogs, and brochures.

Flexographic Inks: Ideal for packaging printing due to their ability to adhere to various substrates and withstand the rigors of packaging processes.

Gravure Inks: Commonly used in high-speed printing processes for packaging materials, labels, and flexible packaging.

Digital Inks: Specifically designed for digital printing technologies such as inkjet and electrophotography, offering quick drying times and vibrant colors.

Market Size and Regional Analysis:

The printing ink market is geographically diverse, with key regions including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific dominates the market due to the presence of major manufacturing hubs and the growing demand for printed packaging in countries like China and India. North America and Europe are also significant markets, driven by technological advancements and sustainability initiatives.

Growth Drivers:

Key factors driving the growth of the printing ink market include:

Rise in Packaging Industry: The booming packaging industry, driven by e-commerce, food & beverage, and consumer goods sectors, is fueling the demand for high-quality printing inks for packaging applications.

Technological Advancements: Continuous innovation in printing technology, including digital printing and inkjet technology, is expanding the scope of applications for printing inks and driving market growth.

Increasing Demand for Customization: Consumers are increasingly seeking personalized and customized products, driving the need for printing solutions that offer flexibility and customization capabilities.

Conclusion:

The printing ink market is undergoing a transformation, driven by technological advancements, sustainability initiatives, and evolving consumer preferences. As the industry embraces digitalization and environmental consciousness, ink manufacturers are innovating to meet the demands of a dynamic market landscape. By staying abreast of industry trends and investing in research and development, stakeholders can unlock the full potential of the printing ink market.

[theavantgardette]

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ Fire-Breathing Luck | Fred Weasley

SYN: Fred's girl knows how to handle business better than he does. At least that's what he thinks. He doesn't really care otherwise. He thinks she's the dopest of the ropest, she thinks he's the funniest bloke there ever was. It just works.

— A mailbox request by @drkaysapothecary

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁

"Freddie," she tugged on the hem of his work pants.

Her red-haired lover hummed in acknowledgement, his brown eyes lighting up like lanterns on the sight of her. He restocked piles of new products on the very top shelf quicker than before, his stature providing a great amount of aid to prevent himself from toppling over had he instructed the other employees to do so. His lover stood by him giddily, herself as involved in the business as he was, moreso ever since he and his twin made a deal to give more than 15% of their shares of income for whichever "lucky ladies" were designated to date them.

Corny as it was, she never once doubted his devotion to her. A day after they announced the deal, she joined their Muggle Arts class with other, fellow Ravenclaws. Safe to say, her works enamored him to no end; her arrow-sharp wit dazzling him quicker than he could begin to say 'hello.'

And here they were, an evening at the busiest market in all of the English Wizarding World — having each other, their own little family in the strange circumstances of the war impending on every witch and wizard's lives at the time.

Fred looked below through the box of stocks he was holding, "Just put them on the carrier, love."

"What, these?" she replied, meeting his eyes as she held onto the carrier full of joke candies designed to incite incessant drooling to whoever ate them. She carded along the packages of them, packed in papers dyed in green and blue.

"Oi, you lovers," George emerged from upstairs of the joke shop and swung his jacket around his shoulder, "clocking out in a bit."

Fred tossed him a smirk, "Off to steal a bit of thunder?"

George responded with giving him air kisses, freeing himself from his brother's teasing towards the streets outside. The shop bell rang as he walked out.

"Strange," Fred came down the ladder, handing the empty box to her, "it's the only time I've no idea where my brother's off to."

"He's seeing a girl," she replied in nonchalance, rechecking the shop's list of income, "do you reckon we'll get more check next month?"

Fred frowned in thought, "We're already good as we are. Need for more?"

She shrugged, putting the paper on the counter and began scribbling with her pocket quill. Fred peeked over, only to see her planning for better prospects; budgeting fees, advertising money. Fred thought he and his brother had nerve; he just hadn't expected his woman to have one tenfold.

Fred kissed her cheek softly, just the way she liked. She chuckled ticklishly, wiping it away in good nature.

"Bugger off me, will you?" she chastised, but pulled him nearer by his collar.

"Feisty woman," he muttered, still close to her.

She resumed her drafting, glancing over to the entrance to check if any customers required their attention. It had turned to evening already, and most who visited Diagon Alley had gone home.

He then slid his arm around her shoulder, his chin on top of her head. Even then, he still had to slouch quite a bit. She stifled a grin, abandoning her writing to kiss the hand dangling above her collarbone. He nuzzled her hair, closing his eyes as they began to sway. There was no music, no tune playing but from the ballerina-bear music boxes sitting by the display upfront.

Us two; he thought, that's all there ever was. Nothing else. Nothing happening. Just us.

George could take his luck for all he cared. Fred knew he had his own down pat, and she sure wasn't going away any time sooner.

. . . .

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁

A/N: comment to be put on my HP taglist!!!!

[bat-mom-writer]

Wife On Repeat

Reader(Wife) X Bruce Wayne(Husband)

Summery: Bruce goes on an interview, and during his interview he wouldn't stop talking about you.

Rating: Fluff, slight spicy(if you squint your eyes and turn your head sideways.)

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

"Welcome back, folks," the host, Janelle, flashed a gleaming smile as the commercial break concluded. "And tonight, we have a truly remarkable individual joining us. An inspiration to millions, a legend in his own right. Ladies and gentlemen, let's give a warm welcome to Bruce Wayne!"

The studio audience erupted into applause as Bruce emerged from behind the velvet curtains. He was impeccably dressed, as always, his jaw firmly set, and his eyes focused on the cameras. He took his seat opposite Janelle.

"Mr. Wayne, we're absolutely thrilled to have you here," Janelle said, her voice a mix of excitement and professionalism.

"Oh, Janelle, it's an honor to be here," Bruce responded with a courteous nod, his deep voice resonating through the studio. "I might even say I've been here before, but then I realize that you're show is always on my 12th living room Tv."

The audience chuckled at Bruce's light-hearted remark, easing the tension that always seemed to follow him. Janelle leaned in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Now, as a man with such an illustrious career, we're all dying to know, what drives you?"

"Well, Janelle," Bruce replied with a twinkle in his eye, "you might say it's my chauffeur."

The audience chuckled again, and Janelle couldn't help but laugh along. "Seriously though," she said, "what motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?"

Bruce's smile remained, but there was a sudden shift in his demeanor, a softening of his eyes. "My wife, she usually has to shove me out of bed in the morning," he joked, his tone light but tinged with a hint of something deeper. "But in all seriousness, it's my wife and sons that keep me going. They're my rock, my reason."

The camera zoomed in on his face, capturing the sincerity of his words. Janelle nodded, her own expression a blend of admiration and curiosity. "You speak of your wife, Mr. Wayne, but you never mention her name. Is there a particular reason for that?"

Bruce's smile never wavered, but his eyes grew distant for a brief moment, as if looking into a memory. "Let's just say she's a very private person, and I like to respect her wishes. Plus, I think the mystery adds a bit of intrigue to the whole billionaire philanthropist package, don't you think?" He winked at Janelle, and the audience laughed in response.

"Well, I'm sure swim suit modals and Russian ballerina, are sadden to see you off the market," Janelle said with a playful smile, eliciting another round of laughter from the audience.

"Ah, the perils of fame," Bruce chuckled. "But in all seriousness, she's the love of my life, I wouldn't have her any other way."

The interview progressed, with Janelle asking him about his latest ventures in tech and philanthropy. Yet, she found herself drawn back to the topic of his family life. "You have quite the brood of young men, Mr. Wayne," she said, glancing at her notes. "Dick, Jason, Tim, and Damian. They're all so accomplished in their own right. Tell us a bit about them."

"Well, my wife would tell you that each of our sons mostly take after me, but I'd say with a sprinkle of their mother's charm and grace," Bruce said with a proud smile. "Dick is the eldest. He's taken after me in a lot of ways, but he's also forged his own path. He's got a strong sense of justice, and he's not afraid to get his hands dirty to make the world a better place. Sometimes he'll literally get dirty, and my wife has to remind him to wash up before dinner."

The audience chuckled, and Bruce's gaze grew more intense as he continued. "Jason, on the other hand, is the wild card. He's got this fiery passion that can either set the world alight or burn bridges. But usually my wife is the one putting out the fires."

"Then there's Tim," Bruce went on, a hint of warmth in his voice. "The brains of the bunch. He's got a mind like a computer—no, better than a computer. And he uses it for good, just like his mother always taught him. He's got a gentle soul, but don't let that fool you. He's as tenacious as they come when he sets his sights on something. I think he picked that up from my wife."

"And finally," Janelle prompted, "what can you tell us about Damian?"

Bruce's smile grew wistful. "Ah, Damian. He's the youngest, but he's got the heart of a lion. And the stubbornness to match. He's a bit of a handful, I won't lie. But he's also the most loving and fiercely loyal little guy I know. He's got a bit of his mother's grace in him, which I'm sure she's thrilled about, and he's learning to channel his intensity into positive outlets. I can't wait to see what he'll achieve when he's all grown up. Though I think my wife would argue that he's already achieved quite a bit."

Janelle nodded, scribbling down notes. "It seems you're very proud of your sons," she said.

"I am," Bruce said, his eyes glowing with pride. "But it's my wife who truly deserves the credit. She's the glue that holds us all together. Without her, we'd all be lost."

Janelle leaned back in her chair, her gaze thoughtful. "I couldn't help but notice how often you brought up your wife," she said. "It's clear she plays a significant role in your life and the lives of your sons."

"She does," Bruce agreed, his voice filled with a warmth that seemed to radiate through the studio. "She's the unsung hero behind the Wayne legacy. Without her, none of this would be possible."

"How did you two meet?" Janelle asked, her curiosity piqued.

Bruce took a deep breath, his eyes glazing over as if lost in a cherished memory. "Well, Janelle, that's a story for another night," he said, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "But I can tell you that she walked into my life when I least expected it, and she changed everything."

The audience leaned in, hanging onto every word. Janelle, sensing the gravity of the moment, decided not to push further. "Let's move on to your philanthropic efforts," she said, switching topics. "Your newest venture, the Wayne Foundation, is making waves with its innovative approach to solving global issues. Can you tell us more about that?"

"My wife's idea," Bruce said, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "She saw a need for a more personal approach to giving back. We wanted to create a foundation that didn't just throw money at problems, but actually rolled up its sleeves and got involved in the community. We've started with education and environmental initiatives, but our goal is to expand into healthcare and social justice as well. She's the heart of it all, the one who keeps me grounded and reminds me that it's not about the size of the donation, but the impact it makes."

As Janelle nodded, she couldn't help but feel the genuine love and admiration Bruce had for his wife. It was clear she wasn't just a partner in life, but also in his mission to make a difference.

The interview continued, with Bruce explaining the intricate details of the Wayne Foundation's projects. His passion for the cause was palpable, and it was evident that his wife's influence had been instrumental in shaping the foundation's core values. The audience listened intently, inspired by the depth of his commitment and the quiet strength of the woman who remained behind the scenes.

"Well, that's all the time we have for tonight," Janelle announced as the interview drew to a close. "Thank you, Bruce Wayne, for giving us a glimpse into your fascinating life and the incredible work you do. And of course, a special thank you to the woman who stands by your side, even if she's not here in the flesh."

"Thank you, Janelle," Bruce said with a nod. "I'm sure she's watching," he added, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "And she's probably cringing at every sappy thing I've said."

The audience erupted in laughter as Janelle wrapped up the segment. "Well, folks, there you have it," she said as the lights dimmed. "The enigmatic Bruce Wayne, opening up about his life's work and the woman who fuels his passion. Thank you for watching and we're going to take a quick break. When we come back, we'll be discussing the latest in celebrity gossip."

The cameras switched off and Bruce took a moment to collect himself. The mention of his wife had stirred up a whirlwind of emotions. He had always been careful about what he shared with the public, but tonight, he had allowed himself to be more open than ever before. The warmth of the studio lights began to feel stifling, and he longed for the cool embrace of the night.

Once arriving home, Bruce found his mansion ablaze with lights, a stark contrast to the quiet solitude he had left behind in the TV studio.

"Welcome home, Master Bruce," Alfred, his ever-faithful butler, greeted him at the door. "Your presence was quite enchanting on television tonight. Your mysterious charm has not waned."

Bruce chuckled, peeling off his tie. "Thanks, Alfred," he said, his gaze drifting to the grand staircase. "I think it's time for me to check in with the real star of the show."

Alfred nodded knowingly, his eyes twinkling. "Indeed, she's been waiting for your return."

Bruce took the stairs two at a time, his heart racing with anticipation. He found you in your private study, surrounded by books and papers, your eyes glued to the computer screen. You looked up as he entered, a soft smile playing on your lips. "Welcome back," your said, your voice warm as you get up to greet him. You're arms wrapped around him in an embrace that felt more like a homecoming than a simple greeting.

He held you tightly, burying his face in your hair, inhaling your sweet scent. "How'd it go?" you whispered.

"You watched it, didn't you?" he said, pulling back slightly to look into your eyes.

"I had to make sure you didn't spill any of our secrets," you teased, brushing a strand of hair from his face.

Bruce chuckled, his arms tightening around you. "You know me, I'm a pro at keeping secrets," he murmured. "But it went smoothly, all things considered. Janelle was quite the interviewer."

You stepped away, a playful smirk on your face. "Or you're just eager to spill everything about your love life on national television," you said, raising an eyebrow.

"Maybe I did get carried away," Bruce admitted with a chuckle, his gaze following you as you moved to the minibar to pour him a whiskey. He took the glass gratefully, his eyes never leaving yours. "But when it comes to you, I find it hard not to." Taking a sip of the amber liquid, he let out a contented sigh.

You took a seat on the couch, your legs crossed elegantly, and your arms resting on the back of the cushion. "Well, with everything you told Janelle tonight, I don't think I'll be revealing myself any time soon," you said, your voice a perfect blend of humor and affection.

Bruce sat down next to you, his eyes never leaving yours as he took another sip of whiskey. "I have to let them know how lucky I am without them getting all… obsessive," he said with a smirk.

You rolled your eyes playfully. "I couldn't help but notice how you avoided the question of how we met."

Bruce took a long sip of his whiskey, his eyes twinkling. "Some secrets are better left untold," he said, his voice low and mysterious. "But if I did, a few… other secrets would come to light."

You leaned in, intrigued. "Oh? And what might those secrets be?"

Bruce set his whiskey glass down with a clink, his eyes alight with mischief. "Well, thinking back, it would be interesting telling them the real story of how we met," he began, his tone playful yet filled with a sense of nostalgia. "Imagine their faces when I tell them it was in a dark alley, not at some fancy gala or charity event."

You couldn't help but laugh, the sound as enchanting as it was unexpected. "Only you could turn a mugging into a romantic meet-cute," you said, shaking your head.

"Well, when you put it that way," Bruce said with a grin, his arm sliding around your shoulders with yours coming down. "But really, it was your fiery spirit and quick thinking that night that made me fall for you."

You playfully slapped his chest. "Fiery spirit? I was just trying not to get shot."

"And you did it with such poise," Bruce said, his eyes warm with admiration. "But yes, that's when I knew you were special. And when I saw you handle those thugs with nothing but a pair of heels and a handbag…"

You blushed, the memory still vivid in your mind. "Well, I'd like to think I've improved since then."

Bruce leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "And you have, in more ways than you know," he said, his gaze lingering on your face. "But I'll always remember that night, when I realized I'd met my match."

You raised an eyebrow at his dramatic tone. "The Joker?" You joked, trying to lighten the mood. "I don't recall seeing the Joker there."

Bruce leaned closer, his breath warm against your cheek. "No, not the Joker. But someone equally as formidable," he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Someone who could handle the chaos of Gotham and still look good in a pantsuit."

You rolled your eyes, but the warmth of his gaze had your heart fluttering. "Dick?" you said, playing along.

"No," Bruce said, his voice a low murmur. "Someone much more… elusive." He leaned in closer, his lips so close to yours. "Someone who can melt the ice in my heart."

"Superman?" You whisper your tone teasing.

"You little teasing woman," he murmured, his gaze lingering on your lips before returning to meet your eyes. "Always keeping me guessing."

"It's part of my charm," you said, your voice a gentle tease.

"The charm that never gets old," Bruce murmured, his eyes darkening with desire.

The air between them grew thick with anticipation, the unspoken tension stretching taut as a bowstring. You leaned closer, your heart racing. "Are you just going to keep a girl waiting?" you whispered.

With a soft chuckle, Bruce closed the distance between you, capturing your lips in a kiss that was as fiery as it was gentle. The warmth of his embrace enveloped you, and for a moment, the weight of their shared secrets and the chaos of Gotham City felt a world away.

As the kiss deepened, you felt the tension of the day melt away. His touch was familiar yet always had the power to ignite something new within you. You pulled him closer, your hand resting gently on the back of his neck, the warmth of his skin sending shivers down your spine.

Bruce set the whiskey glass down with care, the sound of the liquid swirling the last reminder of their light-hearted banter before the intensity of their connection took over. He wrapped his arm around your waist, pulling you closer, his hand splayed over the curve of your hip. The warmth of his palm seemed to seep into your very bones, anchoring you to the moment, to him.

The door to the study swung open with a creak, the hinges protesting against the weight of the heavy wood. You both startled, breaking the kiss as your eyes darted to the intrusion. In the doorway stood Dick, his eyes wide and a look of shock etched on his face. "Bruce, I—uh, I didn't." he pause, "I should have figured…this, after tonight's interview."

Bruce cleared his throat, straightening his tie with a slight blush. "Dick, what can I do for you?"

"I wanted to say," Dick says, his cheeks flushing as he stepped into the room, "that I thought you did a really good job on the interview tonight. You talked a lot about us, and…" He trailed off, looking down at his feet. "And I'll just leave now, oh but, uh… you might want to start locking doors."

You both laugh awkwardly, the tension dissipating as quickly as it had formed. "Thank you Dick, I think we'll keep that in mind," Bruce says, patting your knee reassuringly.

Dick nods, a knowing smile on his face, closes the door and retreats down the hallway. "Nobody go in the office, Bruce is making out with mom," he calls out, his voice echoing through the mansion.

You and Bruce listen as he goes, "It's like he's announcing dinner," you murmur, amusement coloring your voice.

"Well, my dinner at least, come here" he smirks, tackling you to the couch with a playful growl, making you giggle and squirm in his grip. The plush fabric cushions your fall, but it's Bruce's arms that truly make you feel safe and secure. His eyes dance with mischief as he pins you down, the weight of his body pressing into yours, a comforting reminder of his presence.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

The housing emergency and the second Trump term

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveill ance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/12/11/nimby-yimby-fimby/#home-team-advantage

Postmortems and blame for the 2024 elections are thick on the ground, but amidst all those theories and pointed fingers, one explanation looms large and credible: the American housing emergency. If the system can't put a roof over your head, that system needs to go.

American housing has been in crisis for decades, of course, but it keeps getting worse…and worse…and worse. Americans pay more for worse housing than at any time in their history. Homelessness is at a peak that is soul-crushing to witness and maddening to experience. We turned housing – a human necessity second only to air, food and water – into an asset governed almost entirely by market forces, and so created a crisis that has consumed the nation.

The Trump administration has no plan to deal with housing. Or rather, they do have plans, but strictly of the "bad ideas only" variety. Trump wants to deport 11m undocumented immigrants, and their families, including citizens and Green Card holders (otherwise, that would be "family separation" and that's cruel). Even if you are the kind of monster who can set aside the ghoulishness of solving your housing problems by throwing someone in a concentration camp at gunpoint and then deporting them to a country where they legitimately fear for their lives, this still doesn't solve the housing emergency, and will leave America several million homes short.

Their other solution? Deregulation and tax cuts. We've seen this movie before, and it's an R-rated horror flick. Financial deregulation created the speculative mortgage markets that led to the 2008 housing crisis, which created a seemingly permanent incapacity to build new homes in America, as skilled tradespeople retired or changed careers and housebuilding firms left the market. Handing giant tax cuts to the monopolists who gobbled up the remains of these bankrupt small companies minted a dozen new housing billionaires who preside over companies that make more money than ever by building fewer homes:

https://www.fastcompany.com/91198443/housing-market-wall-streets-big-housing-market-bet-has-created-12-new-billionaires

This isn't working. Homelessness is ballooning. The only answer Trump and his regime have for our homeless neighbors is to just make it a crime to be homeless, sweeping up homeless encampments and busting homeless people for "loitering" (that is, existing in space). There is no universe in which this reduces homelessness. People who lose their homes aren't going to dig holes, crawl inside, and pull the dirt down on top of themselves. If anything, sweeps and arrests will make homelessness worse, by destroying the possessions, medication and stability that homeless people need if they are to become housed.

Today, The American Prospect published an excellent package on the housing emergency, looking at its causes and the road-tested solutions that can work even when the federal government is doing everything it can to make the problem worse:

https://prospect.org/infrastructure/housing/2024-12-11-tackling-the-housing-crisis/

The Harris campaign ran on Biden's economic record, insisting that he had tamed inflation. It's true that the Biden admin took action against monopolists and greedflation, including criminal price-fixing companies like Realpage, which helps landlords coordinate illegal conspiracies to rig rents. Realpage sets the rents for the majority of homes in major metros, like Phoenix:

https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-sues-realpage-and-residential-landlords-illegal-price-fixing

Of course, reducing inflation isn't the same as bringing prices down – it just means prices are going up more slowly. And sure, inflation is way down in many categories, but not in housing. In housing, inflation is accelerating:

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-03-08/inflation-housing-shortage-economy-cpi-fed-interest-rate

The housing emergency makes everything else worse. Blue states are in danger of losing Congressional seats because people are leaving big cities: not because they want to, but because they literally can't afford to keep a roof over their heads. LGBTQ people fleeing fascist red state legislatures and their policies on trans and gay rights can't afford to move to the states where they will be allowed to simply live:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/11/business/economy/lgbtq-moving-cost.html

So what are the roots of this problem, and what can we do about it? The housing emergency doesn't have a unitary cause, but among the most important factors is fuckery that led to the Great Financial Crisis and the fuckery that followed on from it, as Ryan Cooper writes:

https://prospect.org/infrastructure/housing/2024-12-11-housing-industry-never-recovered-great-recession/

The Glass-Steagall Act was a 1933 banking regulation created to prevent Great Depression-style market crashes. It was killed in 1999 by Bill Clinton, who declared, "the Glass–Steagall law is no longer appropriate." Nine years later, the global economy melted down in a Great Depression-style market crash fueled by reckless speculation of the sort that Glass-Steagall had prohibited.

The crash of 2008 took down all kinds of industries, but none were so hard-hit as home-building (after all, mortgages were the raw material of the financial bubble that popped in 2008). After 2008, construction of new housing fell by 90% for the next two years. This protracted nuclear winter in the housing market killed many associated industries. Skilled tradespeople retrained, or "left the job market" (a euphemism for becoming disabled, homeless, or destroyed). Waves of bankruptcies swept through the construction industry. The construction workforce didn't recover to pre-crisis levels for 16 years (and of course, by then, there was a huge backlog of unbuilt homes, and a larger population seeking housing).

Meanwhile, the collapse of every part of the housing supply chain – from raw materials to producers – set the stage for monopoly rollups, with the biggest firms gobbling up all these distressed smaller firms. Thanks to this massive consolidation, homebuilders were able to build fewer houses and extract higher profits by gouging on price. They doubled down on this monopoly price-gouging during the pandemic supply shocks, raising prices well above the pandemic shortage costs.

The housing market is monopolized in ways that will be familiar to anyone angry about consolidation in other markets – from eyeglasses to pharma to tech. One builder, HR Horton, is the largest player in 3 of the country's largest markets, and it has tripled its profits since 2005 while building half as many houses. Modern homebuilders don't build: they use their scale to get land at knock-down rates, slow-walk the planning process, and then farm out the work to actual construction firms at rates that barely keep the lights on:

https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/its-the-land-stupid-how-the-homebuilder

Monopolists can increase profits by constraining supply. 60% of US markets are "highly concentrated" and the companies that dominate these markets are starving homebuilding in them to the tune of $106b/year:

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3303984

There are some obvious fixes to this, but they are either unlikely under Trump (antitrust action to break up builders based on their share in each market) or impossible to imagine (closing tax loopholes that benefit large building firms). Likewise, we could create a "homes guarantee" that would act as an "automatic stabilizer." That would mean that any time the economy slips into recession, this would trigger automatic funding to pay firms to build public housing, thus stimulating the economy and alleviating the housing supply crisis:

https://www.peoplespolicyproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/SocialHousing.pdf

The Homes Guarantee is further explained in a separate article in the package by Sulma Arias from People's Action, who describes how grassroots activists fighting redlining planted the seeds of a legal guarantee of a home:

https://prospect.org/infrastructure/housing/2024-12-11-why-we-need-homes-guarantee/

Arias describes the path to a right to a home as running through the mass provision of public housing – and what makes that so exciting is that public housing can be funded, administered and built by local or state governments, meaning this is a thing that can happen even in the face of a hostile or indifferent federal regime.

In Paul E Williams's story on FIMBY (finance in my back yard), the executive director of Center for Public Enterprise offers an inspirational story of how local governments can provide thousands of homes:

https://prospect.org/infrastructure/housing/2024-12-11-fimby-finance-in-my-backyard/

Williams recounts the events of 2021 in Montgomery County, Maryland, where a county agency stepped in to loan money to a property developer who had land, zoning approval and work crews to build a major new housing block, but couldn't find finance. Montgomery County's Housing Opportunities Commission made a short-term loan at market rates to the developer.

By 2023, the building was up and the loan had been repaid. All 268 units are occupied and a third are rented at rates tailored to low-income tenants. The HOC is the permanent owner of those homes. It worked so well that Montgomery's HOC is on track to build 3,000 more public homes this way:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/25/business/affordable-housing-montgomery-county.html

Other – in red states! – have followed suit, with lookalike funds and projects in Atlanta and Chattanooga, with "dozens" more plans underway at state and local levels. The Massachusetts Momentum Fund is set to fund 40,000 homes.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/25/business/affordable-housing-montgomery-county.html

The Center for Public Enterprise has a whole report on these "Government Sponsored Enterprises" and the role they can play in creating a supply of homes priced at a rate that working people can afford:

https://prospect.org/infrastructure/housing/2024-12-11-fimby-finance-in-my-backyard/

Of course, for a GSE to loan money to build a home, that home has to be possible. YIMBYs are right to point to restrictive zoning as a major impediment to building new homes, and Robert Cruickshank from California YIMBY has a piece breaking down the strategy for fixing zoning:

https://prospect.org/infrastructure/housing/2024-12-11-make-it-legal-to-build/

Cruickshank lays out NIMBY success stories in cities like Austin and Minneapolis adopting YIMBY-style zoning rules and seeing significant improvements in rental prices. These success stories are representative of a broader recognition – at least among Democratic politicians – that restrictive zoning is a major contributor to the housing emergency.

Repeating these successes in the rest of the country will take a long time, and in the meantime, American tenants are sitting ducks for predatory landlords, With criminal enterprises like Realpage enabling collusive price-fixing for housing and monopoly developers deliberately restricting supplies to keep prices up (a recent Blackrock investor communique gloated over the undersupply of housing as a source of profits for its massive portfolio of rental properties), tenants pay more and more of their paychecks for worse and worse accommodations. They can't wait for the housing emergency to be solved through zoning changes and public housing. They need relief now.

That's where tenants' unions come in, as Ruthy Gourevitch and Tara Raghuveer of the Tenant Union Federation writes in their piece on the tenants across the country who are coordinating rent strikes to protest obscene rent-hikes and dangerous living conditions:

https://prospect.org/infrastructure/housing/2024-12-11-look-for-the-tenant-union/

They describe a country where tenants work multiple jobs, send the majority of their take-home pay to their landlords – a quarter of tenants pay 70% of their wages in rent – and live in vermin-filled homes without heat or ventilation:

https://www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/terms-of-investment/

Public money from Freddie Mae and Fannie Mac flood into the speculative market for multifamily homes, a largely unregulated, subsidized speculative bonanza that lets the wealthy make bets and the poor pay their losses.

In response, tenants unions are popping up all across the country, especially in red state cities like Bozeman, MT and Louisville, KY. They organize for "just cause" evictions that ban landlords from taking their homes away. They seek fair housing voucher distribution practices. They seek to close eviction loopholes like the LA wheeze that lets landlords kick you out following "renovations."

The National Tenant Policy Agenda demands "national rent caps, anti-eviction protections, habitability standards, and antitrust action," measures that would immediately and profoundly improve the lives of millions of American workers:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JF1-fTalW1tOBO0FhYDcVvEd1kQ2HIzkYFNRo6zmSsg/edit

They caution that it's not enough to merely increase housing supply. Without a strong countervailing force from organized tenants, new housing can be just another source of extraction and speculation for the rich. They say that the Federal Housing Finance Agency – regulator for Fannie and Freddie – could play an active role in ensuring that new housing addresses the needs of people, not corporations.

In the meantime, a tenants' union in KC successfully used a rent strike – where every tenant in a building refuses to pay rent – to get millions in overdue repairs. More strikes are planned across the country.

The American system is in crisis. A country that cannot house its people is a failure. As Rachael Dziaba writes in the final piece for the package, the situation is so bad that water has started to flow uphill: the cities with the most inward migration have the least job growth:

https://prospect.org/infrastructure/housing/2024-10-18-housing-blues/

It's not just housing, of course. Americans pay more for health care than anyone else in the rich world and get worse outcomes than anyone else in the rich world. Their monopoly grocers have spiked their food prices. The incoming administration has declared war on public education and seeks to relegate poor children to unsupervised schools where "education" can consist of filling in forms on a Chromebook and learning that the Earth is only 5,000 years old.

A system that can't shelter, feed, educate or care for its people is a failure. People in failed states will vote for anyone who promises to tear the system down. The decision to turn life's necessities over to unregulated, uncaring markets has produced a populace who are so desperate for change, they'll even vote for their own destruction.

[wheelsgoroundincircles]

1970 Dodge Challenger T/A

1970 Dodge Challenger T/A Sitting for 45 Years Is a Rare Barn Find in Sublime Green

Introduced in 1969 on the then-new E-body platform, the first-generation Dodge Challenger was a big hit, moving nearly 77,000 units in its first year on the market. And while it may seem rather common, the 1970 Challenger lineup included a few rare gems.

Nearly 73% of the cars were ordered in standard trim, leaving only 18,512 R/T models. Most of the latter left the assembly line with the 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) V8, and just 6,231 units were specified with the larger 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) RB and 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI mills.

The HEMI is arguably the rarest 1970 Challenger, with only 356 examples made. Just 60 were also ordered with the SE package, and only nine were convertibles. The 440 Six Pack version is also rare at 2,035 examples, while the regular four-barrel 440 found its way into 3,840 vehicles.

But Dodge also built a small-block gem that saw daylight in limited numbers. I'm talking about the Challenger T/A. Developed to homologate the Challenger for the SCCA Trans-Am series, the T/A was available for only a few months in 1970. And its short stint on the assembly line resulted in only 2,399 street-legal models being built and sold.

The T/A packs several unique features, including a low-restriction exhaust system with side-exiting pipes, a larger air scoop, a fiberglass hood, and a heavy-duty suspension. The stripe package is also unique to this car, as is the 340-cubic-inch (5.6-liter) V8 with a triple two-barrel carburetor setup.

An upgrade over the more common four-barrel 340, the Six Pack layout gave the T/A 290 horsepower to play with. And even though it's nowhere near as powerful as the big-block cars, the T/A has a solid advantage in terms of curb weight and handling.

Come 2023, the T/A is one of the most desirable versions of the 1970 Challenger. And while many cars are still around as restored gems, some are rotting away in junkyards and barns, often missing vital components. The Sublime green example you see here is one of them. But unlike other abandoned T/As, this survivor got a second chance at life, and it's roaming the streets again.

Documented by YouTube's "Auto Archaeology," this T/A spent most of its life off the road. According to our host, the Challenger was parked for unknown reasons sometime in 1977. So that's only seven years on the road and more than four decades in storage.

Parked with a four-barrel carburetor instead of the Six Pack setup, it remained in storage in Memphis and Arkansas until 2022. That's when the car was sold and dragged out of its barn. And surprisingly enough, the T/A emerged in surprisingly solid condition.

Sure, the Sublime paint has faded away, and the black vinyl top is long gone, but the body is straight and almost rust-free. There's some rust on the trunk floor, but it's an easy fix with a regular Challenger pan, which is relatively easy to find.

The engine bay was empty at the time of the rescue, but the car still had the original block. And even though the Six-Pack carb was gone, it came with a period correct unit. The driveshaft, air cleaner, automatic gearbox, and the original wheels (which are very rare) were still with the car.

Speaking of which, the automatic makes this T/A one of 1,410 vehicles built with this drivetrain combo. The vinyl top decreases that number even more. It's unclear if it came with a V1G gator grain top, but if it did, it's one of only 33 T/As built like this.

But the really good news about this Challenger is that it has since been revamped and put back on the road. It hasn't been restored just yet, but it's not a solid survivor that's no longer rotting away in a barn. And that's a win in my book.

[phightingheadcanons]

Trying out the blog, call me emergency response kit

Anyway, thieves den headcanons (may or may not be my fave faction)

thieves den has seasonal phestivals with lots of bright lights and street markets, everything is organic and fresh

Street food there is amazing, but older folks dislike that stuff.

I picture thieve's den elders to be kinda strict about manners, and katana has picked up some of these things and wants vine, Shuri and sling to follow through

Vine is the most polite and courteous of the three. Sling is okay at it but prefers to be a little more comfortable, Shuri straight out speaks in abbreviations and is unintentionally rude sometimes. He means no harm though.

^headcanon that Shuri has audhd ( but somehow became friends with skate and boombox)

eats random stuff off the ground

collects bug pelts and pretty rocks as a hobby.

likes perching on high spots like his unc hyperlaser

He struggles to talk to new people

Hates rough scratchy textures in contact with anywhere on his body ( totally not self projecting )

Probably watches teenage mutant ninja turtles

Hyperactive at wrong times of the day

Is very impulsive when he's angry

Completely opposite when he's a vigilante because he's so focused

Vine headcanons!!!

worried for Shuri everytime he gets hurt because she thinks she's gonna turn into a tree soon and not be able to protect him anymore.

She isn't going to the tree curse only stays in one half of her body and doesn't spread any further

vine has insomnia and can barely sleep

She can make stuff like breakfast pancakes but can literally burn water when she's making dinner.

reads alot and frequently visits ghosdeeri to chat

Sometimes tags along with sling when he goes to hangout with his playground buddies

Met medkit when exploring crossroads and they exchanged some small talk.

Has mixed feelings about subspace.

Sling headcanons!

Used to be similarly as polite as vine but he lived in playground for a few years to pitch his Cafe project and came back totally different.

He also met skate, boombox and coil during this time.

After he set up the Cafe in crossroads he found a bunch of stray cats and fed them, long story short they accompany visitors in his cafe now (there are 5 of them)

makes really good pastries and taught Shuri how to make stuffed croissants. Shuri sometimes bakes them for family and himself, although they turn out wonky sometimes.

Takes grudges very seriously.

all 3 of them live in the same apartment in crossroads (that looks more like a treehouse now) and visit katana in thieves den on weekends.

Also they don't sleep in normal beds. Shuriken sleeps in a hammock he made for himself that hangs from a tree protruding out of their apartment (vine accidentally grew out her sprout hehde)

Vine sleeps in a pillow pile in the mid section of the tree

And sling sleeps in a giant cardboard box which was once the packaging for their refrigerator.

/silly

.

[probablyasocialecologist]

European stock indices have caught up or outstripped Wall Street over the past six months. The S&P 500 is up nearly 6 per cent, matching the UK’s FTSE 100, but behind 9 per cent for France’s Cac 40 and more than 20 per cent for Germany’s Dax. The region-wide Stoxx Europe 600 has jumped 8 per cent. The euro on Wednesday touched its strongest level against the dollar since early November, after Germany announced a massive spending package to fund its military and infrastructure. That piled pressure on a greenback that has been weakening after a sequence of poor US economic data. “We have gone from ‘all roads lead to the US’ to seeing numerous cracks to US exceptionalism,” said Alain Bokobza, head of global asset allocation at Société Générale. “At the same time we have seen several game changers in Europe . . . so Europe is back on the agenda.” Tesla, which nearly doubled in value between the election and mid-December as chief executive and Trump backer Elon Musk became a central figure in the US administration, has now given up nearly all its post-election gains.

[...]

Eight years after his first presidential election victory initially sent investors rushing for safe havens before they bet he would be a boon for stocks, many fund managers are again wondering how they got Trump so wrong. This time around, US stocks have been hit by worsening economic data — including manufacturers reporting a steep decline in orders in February — growing concerns about tariffs and a sell-off in the all-important tech sector as the market asks whether the artificial intelligence revolution will prove as profitable as had been hoped. Despite a robust earnings season, this has prompted investors to turn away from American stocks, whose valuation had moved well above those of international peers and which in January had become their most pricey relative to government bonds in a generation. Charlie McElligott, a derivatives strategist at Nomura, said US tech stocks were now seen as a “source of funds” for investors wanting to buy European or Chinese stocks. “Ironically, in a year [where] everyone said America First, other markets, including emerging markets and Europe, might outperform,” said David Hauner, global head of emerging markets and FX strategy at BofA. “We may be at the beginning of a bigger shift here.”

6 March 2025

[thr0wnawayy]

Ah Shit, here we go again or: Rewriting the godawful "Your Next" Movie via the Antagonists and their Victims

Disclaimer: THIS MOVIE IS JUST A WORST VERSION OF THE OVERHAUL ARC

Yes and you're going to see that quite alot here. Every MHA movie is an MHA arc done considerably worse to some extent.

MHA Two Heroes is just AM vs AFO on steroids, all flash and no business

MHA: Rising is a bizarre mix of the Overhaul Arc and the MLA's components.

MHA: WHM is also just parts of the Overhaul Arc (Fanatical organization, Anti Quirk weaponry, a Mcguffin we're supposed to give a shit about)

Side Note: The movie's time of events has been changed, now occurring after the events of the Final War Arc.

Part 1: Stokercorp

The Gollini family predates the Era of quirks dating all the way back to the 1920's. The Gollini's weren't particularly large or powerful. Sticking to the shadows until she 100 or so years prior to the emergence of the first quirk users.

In the ensuing chaos and aftermath of the Quirk wars, the Gollini's profited off of protection money and smuggling. Until after the fire truly settled and they realized the European markets had a power vacuum from multiple companies collapsing.

Seizing the opportunity, the Gollini's founded multiple companies, cheif among these being Stokercorp, a packaging company.

They went semi-legit, procuring a gleaming image while still dealing underneath the table. By the time Valdo' father was born, Stokercorp had unofficially consumed it's sister fronts to become an empire. although the sub families that ran these companies remained in power

Valdo's father led Stokercorp into an era of science and tech, his greatest goal being to understand the power of quirks themselves, earning the companies secret motto "Power over All".

Valdo was born out of the need of a heir as was tradition and Valdo's father had already had multiple assassination attempts to his name. He knew his luck would run out eventually.

Growing up Valdo was raised to hone his Alechemy quirk*, he became obsessed with the idea of not just mastering but owning quirks themselves. Reading up on the rumors and tales of AFO's reign* only fueled him further. Leading him to preform the unthinkable... (but we'll get to that.)

(gotta love how this quirk is so OP, the wiki has to resort to bullshit to list a weakness)(It's such a major plot hole how nobody besides AM and some others know about AFO given how much of a threat and influence he was)

The Family

As I hinted at, the Gollini Family isn't one unit, it is made up of multiple smaller families all under the Gollini name. We'll be looking at them from a public perspective

Stokercorp is the biggest, owned by the original Gollini's (albiet the name is hidden), currently headed by Valdo. Research and Development company, dabbled in various sectors. Based in Italy, Rome

L'antre Du Lion. Europe's top fashion brand, designs everything from perfume to runway fashion. Headed by Deborah (Valdo's aunt). Has both as Italian and a French branch.

Bruno's Place. Renamed after Bruno took it from his father (and killed his siblings for it). Jewelery shop and Auxillery, charges exuberant prices for quality (often smuggled or bloodied) gemstones and diamonds.

Mad-Cap Games. A USA based Games and Comic store, a hot spot for nerds, geeks and cosplayers everywhere. Owned by Simon, a real stand up guy, if a tad competitive in DND. (Spawned from the Gollini Italian American branch, originally a board game company, now partners with Stokercorp)

Part 2: Wanda & Petrov (not really)

Let me preface this, unlike Alechemy, I had to rewrite both their quirks because they're either too fucking broken or plotholes (I.e Why didn't Guilino use his quirk in conjuction with Anna's in the first place!)

Personalities:

Anna (The Antithesis), 18

Anna hates her quirk just as much as she hates modern heroism. She believes that in order to save someone, you must truly know them and that "pro" heroes have bastardized the word [Saving] (by being glorified first responders with egos, celebrities and overall monsters (like w Enji)) as they merely rescue people from immediate danger.

Midoriya is like the match to her gasoline, she hates him and his classmates with a passion as burning as the fire that killed her parents. She's very vocal about her contempt for their inability to actually be heroic and their normalization of abuse (systematic and domestic). Anna did her research before coming to Japan and she's not happy.

She only cares for her brother and cares little for anyone beyond that (except maybe her parents and Valdo Sr.), she can be cold to others, often getting physical if they annoy her (arm twisting, choking) and only stopping if Giulio tells her too (takes a moment).

Might be an undiagnosed Sociopath with selective empathy for victims (I.E Rei Himura

Giulio (The Pacifist Knight), 20

Guilio blames himself for being useless, unless to save his parents and useless to save the adoptive father they loved so much. He is very soft spoken and empathetic (to those deserving), he distrusts heroes, especially Japan's. Only willing to work with them when he senses Stokercorp closing in.

He would walk through fire for Anna, he feels like a failure for not being able to protect her and tends to supress his emotions viewing them as unimportant in the face of danger. He's constantly putting himself at risk, subconsciously suicidal to an extent but he won't abandon his sister.

He lost his leg outspeeding a bounty hunter, using his quirk to numb the pain as it was amputated and replaced in a black market. He lost his pointer and middle fingers on his left hand to a bullet. All replaced with black market prosthetics

Quirks

Overmodify: (Similar to the movie concept except actually usable and not just Rewind but worse)

Overmodify is a ranged emitter quirk, when activated, a green aura will flow from Anna's palms, anything or anyone within a radius of 10-15 or so feet, will slowly begins to change, the closer to Anna, the more rapid and powerful the evolution.

As Anna continues to use her quirk, the color will shift to purple and the radius expands considerably (30 and climbing), however it is more chaotic, the changes more hectic and unstable. They can even destabilize whatever or whomever is effected.

When Anna has nothing left to give, her quirk turns inwards and stops, painful muscle spasms occur, leaving her sore and nauseous. Her hair and body dulls, eyes losing their light. This goes on for approximately 3 days as she recovers.

Nullify: Nullify is a contact based emitter quirk that temporarily numbs and weakens whatever Giulio touches. It is not true negation as it is simply suppressing the effects in a bid to outlast them.

(I.e. he could make a potential 3rd degree burn into 1st degree, if the burn isn't settled. If it blisters he can soothe the pain and potentially stop nerve damage but the skin would still scar)

His iris' glow blue when he does this. The toll is he gets hella migraines from using it in quick bursts (he can deal with long uses as that is the quirk's nature)

Origins:

Essentially after an "incident" involving a quirk enduced firestorm wiped out their village, Anna and Giulio were left to fend for themselves in the ashes of their war torn nation. (Anna was 12 and Guilio 14)

Due to the sheer trauma of losing their parents to the flames and their quirks being useless against them (Anna loathes hers, believing she amplified the flames). Both siblings supress and hide their quirks viewing the ailments of doing so as deserved (a sort of self punishment)

Eventually they were discovered and adopted by Valdo's father, who had no idea of their quirks until an assassination attempt was made.

This is where Valdo's obsession began, if these quirks could he honed and utilized, who knew what heights they (namely he) could reach.

Naturally the Siblings were hesitant and Valdo's father respected that wish, they were family after all. So Valdo devised a scheme to force Anna and Giulio to learn by force, he began dragging them into the underworld, putting them in situations where they had to use their quirk. Simultaneously using the victories won in these situation to consolidate power amongst the sub-famlies and gain loyalty.

(In one instance: Valdo used Giulio's caring nature against him by poisoning his own men and leaving for a "mission", Giulio was forced to use his quirks to ease their pain and stave off the effects. This was to test limits and take Data)

The Siblings were gaslit into believing this was for their benefit, framed under the guise of repaying the family for pulling them from the gutter.

Eventually, Valdo's father found out and arranged a private meeting with Valdo, Valdo used Alchemy to kill him discretely, giving his father a brain eating amoeba to ensure his silence and retirement. Bruno helps him cover it up by distracting with a well placed party

Valdo learns of All Might's retirement and begins looking into his history, learning of OFA'S stockpiling nature by putting 2 and 2 together (Valdo's childhood readings combined with Midoriya's sudden quirk manifestations). He begins looking for a way to replicate the storage of OFA

Shortly after, the Siblings learned of what Valdo had done and fled, stealing a motorcycle and escaping from Stokercorp tower. Valdo sends mercenaries to bring them back to him for his plans. The Siblings move frequently.

To PART 2 (W.I.P)

[datastring]

Automatic Industrial Tunnel Pasteurizers Market to Reach $1008.7 Million by 2035

The global Automatic Industrial Tunnel Pasteurizers market is on track for substantial growth, with projected revenue rising to $1008.7 million by 2035, up from $387.0 million in 2024. This reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1% over the forecast period from 2024 to 2035.

Detailed Analysis - https://datastringconsulting.com/industry-analysis/automatic-industrial-tunnel-pasteurizers-market-research-report

These pasteurizers play a crucial role in several sectors including food processing, beverage bottling, and pharmaceutical packaging. The market is set to benefit from rising consumer demand for safe, long-shelf-life products, alongside innovations in food processing technology and automation.

Competitive Landscape and Market Leaders

The Automatic Industrial Tunnel Pasteurizers industry is marked by intense competition and the presence of several globally recognized players. Leading companies driving innovation and market penetration include:

Alfa Laval

Tetra Pak

GEA Group

Krones AG

Shandong Jimeile Limited

KHS GmbH

JBT Corporation

PERACETTI

Primodan

Technibag

FBR-ELPO

REDA S.p.A.

With a strong focus on technological advancement, automation, and energy-efficient pasteurization processes, these companies are investing heavily in R&D to meet growing food safety regulations and operational efficiency demands.

Growth Drivers and Market Opportunities

Several key trends are shaping the future of the Automatic Industrial Tunnel Pasteurizers market:

Demand for Processed Foods: Increasing urbanization and changing dietary preferences are fueling the need for large-scale, reliable pasteurization solutions.

Technological Innovations: Developments in temperature control, automation, and modular design are enhancing productivity and energy efficiency.

Emphasis on Food Safety: Regulatory pressure and consumer expectations around hygiene and safety are pushing demand for advanced pasteurization technology.

Emerging Markets: Rapid industrialization and infrastructure investments in countries like China, India, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia offer major growth opportunities.

Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations among OEMs, integrators, and end users are creating new avenues for market penetration.

Regional Trends and Supply Chain Evolution

The North American and European markets currently dominate the global landscape due to their mature food processing industries and stringent food safety regulations. However, emerging markets in Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East are becoming key focal points for expansion.

Despite facing challenges such as high installation and maintenance costs and a shortage of skilled labor, the overall ecosystem—from raw material sourcing and component manufacturing to assembly and end-use applications—is expected to become more agile and decentralized. Companies are expanding their operations and making strategic investments in Brazil, India, and Saudi Arabia to enhance supply chain efficiency and tap into new revenue pools.

About DataString Consulting

DataString Consulting is a trusted name in market intelligence, offering end-to-end research solutions across both B2C and B2B segments. With a leadership team boasting over 30 years of collective experience, the firm delivers actionable insights to support data-driven decisions.

From strategy consulting and competitive intelligence to opportunity assessment, DataString provides customized research services tailored to your unique business objectives. Monitoring more than 15 high-growth industries, their team of data experts and analysts ensures accurate, timely, and forward-looking insights.

[world-of-wales]

NEWS -

NEW PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN EARTHSHOT AND BRITISH AIRWAYS!

British Airways has announced a new partnership with The Earthshot Prize, becoming their newest Global Alliance Member.

By working with Earthshot, they will be engaged in supporting the discovery, investment, and acceleration of innovative and scalable climate solutions for people & the planet, ranging from alternative fuels to the reduction in the reliance single-use plastics.

Past recipients of the prize include LanzaTech, a carbon recycling company which work closely with airlines' sustainable aviation fuel partner LanzaJet to bring the emerging sustainable technologies to market; and Notpla specialising in biodegradable packaging that the airline has recently partnered with.

British Airways hopes to explore further collaborations with future prize winners.

https://mediacentre.britishairways.com/news/23092024/british-airways-to-become-the-largest-purchaser-of-carbon-removals-in-the-uk-as-part-of-2030-environmental-drive

[comicarc]

𝐈 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧 (𝐕𝐈𝐈)

previous • next

"A lonely moon craving for the radiant sun." In which a certain girl catches the attention of a prideful billionaire playboy as they both attempt to find their way in the world. (I haven't seen many fics explore Bruce in his formative years, so I thought I'd share my take on them, of course with romance.)

wc: 2182

Night dawned on Gotham, blanketing the city with a moonless sky. y/n made her way to the hole which she had descended into all those nights ago, now completely covered. There was a barricade with two large men standing guard, checking people into a tent by verifying them on a list. y/n was apprehensive, not only because if anything went wrong she could die, but also because it was apparent there were no other girls there. Gulping down her hesitation, y/n attempted to exude an air of confidence to make herself seem unapproachable, as she took confident steps to the front of the line. Maybe she was being too cocky, but that was better than being seen as prey. 

Ignoring the groans and whistles of the men lined behind her, she looked the guards in the eye and mustered all her energy to her voice as she announced her name. She prayed they couldn’t hear the waver in her voice or the tremble of her hands. She was scared witless, but the wire pressed against her chest lay a constant reminder that her actions weren’t in vain. 

As soon as she was let in by the guards, y/n hid in a corner to catch her breath. Bruce had given her earrings to work as comms, so upon hearing her very loud pants, he reassured, “Hey, everything’s fine. The plan’s working and no one suspects a thing.”

His words had eased her rapidly racing heart a little, allowing her to emerge from her corner into the lion’s den. Before her lay rows and rows of tables resembling an assembly line. Red mushrooms on one end turned into some liquid solution at the other, being crushed, mixed and packaged throughout the sequence. Why did anyone want her here?

Someone appeared behind her as she took another stepping, introducing, “Ah here’s the lady of the hour.” He took her by the waist and spun her to face him as he continued, “I’m Jared Steve, head of the operation.”

He wasn’t like a typical creep, Jared was tall, muscular, and looked like he could get any girl he wanted. But his voice and his mannerisms gave away the ugly truth. “And what exactly is this operation?”

“Already interrogating, are we? He said you were feisty, but I never expected you to have this much fire.” He smirked, his curling lips sending a shiver down y/n’s spine. 

y/n remained quiet, as he brushed off his own question, “Well, it’s a new kind of drug. Something that the market’s never seen. Our main target is the children, for obvious reasons. They’re scared, stupid, or lusting to escape life.”

“So, what do you need me for?”

“You’ve got a reputation for being inconspicuous. Nothing intense, I just need you to plant this package in someone’s house. I’ve got the address right here, all you need to do is sneak in, leave it there, and text this number. With all the money you’ve smuggled for Philip Wilcox, I’d say this will be pretty easy for you.” He handed y/n a piece of paper with the details, before intensifying his tone, “Don’t fuck this up, or it’ll be your head being slaughtered.”

y/n took a moment to digest all the information she was given. There was no clear motive behind the operation other than it being a cash grab, but from what she heard, there was enough evidence to prove the existence and maliciousness of the operation. In thought for far longer than she was supposed to be, Bruce chimed through the earring urging her to come back to reality.

“You’ve gotta do this tonight. I’ve got high hopes for you, that is of course, if you’re anything like your mother.”

The offhanded comment caught y/n off guard like a deer in headlights. But ignoring it, y/n turned away from Jared and walked out of the tent, ready to end things for good. 

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The address led to the apartment next to hers on Crime Alley. It’s proximity to her own ‘home’ had raised her suspicions but she had no time to doubt. All she had to do was get in & get out and then all her worries would dissipate. No more ties to the Falcones. 

The box she held seemed to get heavier with each step, threatening to slip from her hands. Though confined in cardboard, y/n could tell there was something metallic inside with the light clink she heard every few minutes. 

Standing outside the door to the apartment she was meant to enter, y/n paused and let the silence surround her. Carefully, she leaned an ear against the door and listened. There was no shuffling of footsteps, no voices, absolutely nothing indicating that there was a soul inside. Taking it as a green light, y/n set down the box, fished out a bobby pin from her pockets, and fiddled with the lock until it was unlocked.

Taking the box again, this time adjusting it between her left arm and hip, y/n tip-toed inside, making sure she didn’t make a sound. Seeing that the coast was clear, she set down the box on a wooden dining table right in front of the entrance. Standing upright, she took a deep breath as if physically relinquishing the anxiety and stress that had been plaguing her. It was finally over, she was free. 

But, of course, nothing good ever lasts, and just as y/n was about to leave, sickeningly thin fingers grasped her wrist. “You’re here to kill me aren’t you?” The voice sounded defeated as it spoke. “I deserve it, I know that, but I’d hoped that it would be on my own terms.” 

Curious as always, y/n wanted to know more. So, she did exactly what she shouldn’t have as she inquired, “What…did you do?”

“You don’t know?” He lightly chuckled before resuming, “I killed some very important people.”

“A Falcone?” 

“Two Waynes.” y/n heard Bruce gasp through the earring. The target was Joe Chill, and if he knew he was going to be killed then the package had to be a bomb.

“Why?”

“I was dumb and desperate. I thought I could hide, get away from it all with one final job, but Gotham stays with you, even if you leave it. Trust me kid, this isn’t the end, its just the beginning.”

“Why warn me about an inevitability then?”

“So that you don’t make the same mistake I did.” Unhanding y/n, he placed in her palm a stack of files and pushed her outside of the apartment. As soon as she fell onto the carpeted hallway, the cardboard exploded and took Joe with it. 

The apartment burst into flames, the fire rapidly spreading to other parts of the building. Instinct kicked in and y/n ran to her own apartment, gathering her stuff in a backpack before the flames could reach her. After a few minutes of packing, she raced out of the apartment and stood a few feet from the entrance, watching the flames engulf the building in a matter of moments. 

The bomb couldn’t have gone off without the sender knowing it had arrived. Either there was timer or someone tracking her, the latter of which seemed a more reasonable option. Thinking back to her interaction with Jared, y/n remembered he had touched her waist. Feeling her midsection, y/n felt a bump on the back of her jacket. A tracker.

The bomb had left her ears ringing, so she hadn’t registered Bruce’s voice until after she crushed the tracker. “y/n, what the hell happened? Are you alright? Was it Chill, did he do something?”

“I’m fine, let’s meet back at your mansion in the morning.” Bruce continued talking, but y/n had enough for the day. Taking off the earring, removing the wire, and stuffing the files that Joe gave her into her backpack, y/n began walking.

She couldn’t sleep on the street or any bench, so she’d have to settle for a rooftop. Lucky for her, she knew exactly where to go. Arriving at her destination, y/n climbed up a pipe, settled in a corner, curled into herself, and fell asleep clutching her backpack and watching the sky. 

What is to give light must endure burning, so she had decided that the darkness of this night would cool her. Under the blanket of stars, she’d relinquish the buzzing in her mind, allowing it to fly with the fireflies. By morning her thoughts would be silent enough for the joy of freedom to echo through the hollowness of her skull. 

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Left hanging by y/n, Bruce’s anger blinded him from his sense of compassion. What did Joe Chill have to do with the Falcones? If they were involved in his parent’s death, he had to have a surefire way of getting Carmine convicted. 

He’d been investigating for months and had finally found a cop worthy of his badge. A certain detective Jim Gordon had both influence and honesty in his blood, just the perfect combination to put one of Gotham’s most malicious cronies behind bars. He’d be able to convince Dent Sr. to help with getting a lawyer and the case in general. y/n would get him his evidence. Everything was in place for his plan to work. 

But y/n, she needed to be safe from it all. After all a promise is a promise, and Bruce Wayne always keeps his word. She hadn’t left his thoughts for days, and even now she occupied his mind as he worried for her life.

Sense finally kicked in, and Bruce rushed out the doors of his home, heading to Crime Alley to find y/n. The explosion must’ve surely hurt her, and he couldn’t leave her there to fend for herself in such a bad area. 

An hour or so later, he found y/n on a rooftop freezing in her sleep. In the place where his parents were murdered, the place that haunted him every night, left him tossing and turning until bags formed under his eyes, Bruce knew he’d die here too. It was only a matter of time, for here he was helpless, and no amount of money would save him from death he had cheated. But at that moment, watching y/n smile in such a decrepit state, he couldn’t help but let the thought of her dying overshadow his own fears. 

Slinging her backpack onto his shoulder and picking her up in both his arms, he held her even tighter than he had at the bar, allowing her face to sink into his chest as he walked to his car. Setting her gently in the backseat, he drove out of Park Row back to his mansion. 

Upon arriving back home, he didn’t take her to the same bedroom as the previous night. Rather he sat in the backseat, letting her head lean in his lap as he brushed her hair and watched the color return to her skin. 

In the comfort of silence, he felt as though he needed to get something off of his chest. Thus, he confessed, ���Wayne means many things to many people, and to each I am a different person. I’m a rich asshole, a pitiful orphan, an influential figurehead, a reckless idiot, or a gold digger’s dream, but really, I’m a curse. And you, you’re the only one who makes me feel human.

“I know it sounds stupid, but it started in our first year at the Academy, when you got a 100% on our chemistry test. You beat me, and no one beat me. It felt refreshing to have someone see past my ‘power’ and treat me like I wasn’t a god amongst humans that shouldn’t be crossed. And so I started to retaliate, hoping that I’d get your attention. 

“Honestly, I’d never studied for a test in my life as hard as I’d done for you. Just so you’d look my way and think I’m not like the other guys, that I used my wealth and endless resources to further myself instead of blowing it off on pointless stuff. And when that didn’t work, I wanted to get you jealous, using other girls. And when that didn’t work I used the race, to try and impress you.

“Now in hindsight, all that may have come across as a completely different message, but what more can you expect from a boy who has never known true affection? 

“I’ve hurt everyone I’ve been with, from flings to my parents. I can’t seem to give people happiness. I thought I could help you, save you from the real Gotham, beyond the Academy, but look what I’ve done…”

He hesitated, before placing a kiss on y/n’s forehead and admiring her sleeping figure. A part of him hoped she had heard him, that his feelings could be understood. But another part prayed she hadn’t, for he feared she’d only be hurt even more knowing the truth.

˖ ࣪🦇𓆰♡𓆪🦇ִ ࣪⋆

taglist: @earth-to-name

[tomorrowusa]

Four years ago today (March 13th), then President Donald Trump got around to declaring a national state of emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic. The administration had been downplaying the danger to the United States for 51 days since the first US infection was confirmed on January 22nd.

From an ABC News article dated 25 February 2020...

CDC warns Americans of 'significant disruption' from coronavirus

Until now, health officials said they'd hoped to prevent community spread in the United States. But following community transmissions in Italy, Iran and South Korea, health officials believe the virus may not be able to be contained at the border and that Americans should prepare for a "significant disruption." This comes in contrast to statements from the Trump administration. Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said Tuesday the threat to the United States from coronavirus "remains low," despite the White House seeking $1.25 billion in emergency funding to combat the virus. Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, told CNBC’s Kelly Evans on “The Exchange” Tuesday evening, "We have contained the virus very well here in the U.S." [ ... ] House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the request "long overdue and completely inadequate to the scale of this emergency." She also accused President Trump of leaving "critical positions in charge of managing pandemics at the National Security Council and the Department of Homeland Security vacant." "The president's most recent budget called for slashing funding for the Centers for Disease Control, which is on the front lines of this emergency. And now, he is compounding our vulnerabilities by seeking to ransack funds still needed to keep Ebola in check," Pelosi said in a statement Tuesday morning. "Our state and local governments need serious funding to be ready to respond effectively to any outbreak in the United States. The president should not be raiding money that Congress has appropriated for other life-or-death public health priorities." She added that lawmakers in the House of Representatives "will swiftly advance a strong, strategic funding package that fully addresses the scale and seriousness of this public health crisis." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also called the Trump administration's request "too little too late." "That President Trump is trying to steal funds dedicated to fight Ebola -- which is still considered an epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo -- is indicative of his towering incompetence and further proof that he and his administration aren't taking the coronavirus crisis as seriously as they need to be," Schumer said in a statement.

A reminder that Trump had been leaving many positions vacant – part of a Republican strategy to undermine the federal government.

Here's a picture from that ABC piece from a nearly empty restaurant in San Francisco's Chinatown. The screen displays a Trump tweet still downplaying COVID-19 with him seeming more concerned about the effect of the Dow Jones on his re-election bid.

People were not buying Trump's claims but they were buying PPE.

I took this picture at CVS on February 26th that year.

The stock market which Trump in his February tweet claimed looked "very good" was tanking on March 12th – the day before his state of emergency declaration.

Trump succeeded in sending the US economy into recession much faster than George W. Bush did at the end of his term – quite a feat!. (As an aside, every recession in the US since 1981 has been triggered by Republican presidents.)

Of course Trump never stopped trying to downplay the pandemic nor did he ever take responsibility for it. The US ended up with the highest per capita death rate of any technologically advanced country.

Precious time was lost while Trump dawdled. Orange on this map indicates COVID infections while red indicates COVID deaths. At the time Trump declared a state of emergency, the virus had already spread to 49 states.

The United States could have done far better and it certainly had the tools to do so.

The Obama administration had limited the number of US cases of Ebola to under one dozen during that pandemic in the 2010s. Based on their success, they compiled a guide on how the federal government could limit future pandemics.

Obama team left pandemic playbook for Trump administration, officials confirm

Of course Trump ignored it.

Unlike those boxes of nuclear secrets in Trump's bathroom, the Obama pandemic limitation document is not classified. Anybody can read it – even if Trump didn't. This copy comes from the Stanford University Libraries.

TOWARDS EPIDEMIC PREDICTION: FEDERAL EFFORTS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN OUTBREAK MODELING

Feel free to share this post with anybody who still feels nostalgic about the Trump White House years!

[ancha-aus]

RealAgeAU Drabble - The Tavern

*kicks in the door* HELLO! :D Guess three times who had an idea?! IT is me! Your homie!

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I am so excited because I finally got an idea on how I wanted to mention a few things! And It fits together! :D

Also, The mentioned OC is from @spotaus Who made a lovely drabble that I personally also consider canon for this AU <3 Give it some love and look at it okay? They are very talented!

*---------------------*

Dust looks up at the building as he tilts his skull. It looks nice enough and doesn't look like the general Grillby's building. It looks grander and like it has been expended a bunch. Dust can see some newer repairs around the fench and the walls and can only assume those had to be repaired.

Cross shuffles somewhere near him "Are we sure about this?"

Killer hums as he looks at the building himself "I mean. Dusty got that cash reward for that repair thing at the last market..." and he shrugs.

Dust nods "WAs a lot." and that is an understatement. When the mayor had said they would send a thank you for Dust repairing the generator and fridges he had figrued it would just be like some flowers.

That was usually with political people did. Send some weird present and a card about how good of a free service yoou did and all that crap.

Instead she just send a cash package that none of them had expected. As thank you for saving their market. Aparently it was the normal amount they payed for a emergancy service of this big with a nice tiny bonus. As a welcome to the community present!

It had been welcome mostly because it would help get them started after the winter and made sure they didn't need to keep getting by with tiny jobs here and there.

Horror nods in agreement "Crop said this would be a good way to get more friendly. Be seen less as hermits." Dust blinks back into the conversation and actually pays attention as he is suposed to be part of it.

Cross sounds deeply unhappy "I like being hermits..."

Dust hums as he keeps holding Nightmare. Nightmare stares slightly enchanted at the building before shaking his skull to snap himself out of it. Dust thinks they are doing a good job with helping him unlearn the bad and unhealthy habits he had from being forced into his guardian position.

But it will take more time, Nightmare still feels awkward and weird for being a child and childlike sometimes. They will eventually get that mindset out of his little skull.

More shuffles and Dust glances over. Yup. No Cross in sight. Dust doesn't point it out and just thrusts his elbow out into the general direction he last heard Cross. A groan and Cross sends him a glare as the weird invisibility starts to shift off of him.

That is another thing all four of them had silently decided to just... not talk about. Much like how he tended to now be more charged with actual electricity instead of just mana. How Killer's silver tongue has gone to the extreme and even the most stupid lies seem to be believed if he says it with enough confidence. How the very layout of their own farm shiftly slightly when Horror had been staring and nudging the area.

They just...

It is probably fine. Ngihtmare hadn't seemed alarmed by it and they just figure it is because of the apple situation. Nightmare is still slowly losing that old magic and they are nearby a lot. It would make sense they took it over slightly.

They hadn't been actively bothered by it yet and while annoying and something to keep in mind it didn't seem dangerous.

Dust nods to the door "Lets go." and he walks forwards wiht Ngihtmae in his arms.

The inside is nicely lit and warm. People are all around and Dust recognises quite a few people from all of his trips to town to repair things. he also sees some of the people who came to help them with their new house. Dust still doesnt'quite know the names of them all as he never was the best with names. That is more of a Killer and Cross thing.

Dust looks around and spots a table which is empty and marches over there. By this point easily ignoring the curious glances. He also knows that Killer is shadowing him with most likely that same stupid challenging and charming grin on his stupid charming face.

Dust takes a seat and looks at the chairs around him. He ends up pulling one near and putting Nightmare in it. Nightmare manages to look over the edge but it is a near thing. Dust tilts his skull "That good?"

Nightmare thinks it over before nodding. Then he looks to the side as he takes in someone playing the guitar and singing live music. huh. Dust wonders if that is a regular thing.

The others join them and they all take a moment to really familiarise themselves with the area. It is different but small details are the same. The shade of the lighting. The colour of the shelves. Tiny things that make the scene more familiar.

Dust used to get disbalanced and well, fucked in the head by seeing things that reminded him of his own universe. He still gets missed up if it is too much alike but he likes to think he got a bit better at handling it all.

They look up when Light walks over to them. Their flames bright as they carry menu's in their multitude of arms. They greet them and gives everyone a menu before getting a small notepad out "Any ideas for drinks?"

Dust shrugs as he lokos at Ngihtmare. Nightmare reads the drink part of the menu wiht a serious and thoughtful look before looking up at the fire elemental. he pauses for a moment before speaking "Can I have a root beer float?"

Light's flames flicker happily as they note it down "One root beer float for the very polite skeleton." they looks at them and wait.

Dust hums and mutters "Same." Light nods nad notes it down.

Killer looks at the different drinks and settles for some latte coffee which he will probably put an unholy amount of sugar into. DUst would be worried about the caffeine if he didn't already know that caffeine just didn't affect Killer.

Horror ends up asking for some fresh mint tea and Cross just asks for sparkling water.

With those orders out of the way Light lets them be to look at the menu. Some items hit the guilt filled part of his soul as it reminds him of things of the past but he shakes it off. Those are normal menu items. Even so Dust decides to take the chicken and egg dish. Mostly because it seems like a this universe thing.

Horror ends up picking the same as Killer ends up going for an unholy amount of fries. Nightmare ends up picking pumpkin soup and Cross joins Nightmare with his order.

Light brings them their drinks, which honestly? Rather brave of the fire elemental to bring them liquids. They take their order and leave for a short while to get everything ready.

Nightmare goes back to listening to the live music as Dust and the other three make light conversation. They keep their conversation vague as they talk abotu old missions and stupid stuff that happened. They share chuckles and it is honestly nice to relax.

Their food is brought over and Light looks at them nervously "So... How is the flower doing?"

Horror looks up before answering "It is well. It stands in the window near the fire place."

They had ended up moving the burning flower there as it served as a nice night light for Nightmare. Nightmare denied being uncomfortable in the dark but Dust thinks the darkness still freaks him out a bit now that he lost his nightvision after becoming little again.

Dust can only imagine the panic he feels if he thinks he was left alone agian. Abandoned again.

It is also why Cross invested some of the hard earned cash into fairy lights and strung those up all along and above the nest. Light it up better.

Nightmare slept much more soundly and woke up less int he middle of the night now and for them it hardly mattered if it was dark out or not.

Light, heh, lights up as they say they are happy to hear that before happily skipping off.

Dust snorts and shoots Cross an amused grin "they are enchanted by you." and he snorts again when Cross sputters.

"Hardly!" Cross glares as he blushes and his arm disappears out of view again. Luckily Killer sees and nudges where the arm used to be, bringing it back into view.

Cross crosses his arms and huffs.

Killer grins and winks at Cross "I can see why. soldier boy is so strong and reliable and a true knight in shining armour." and he winks again.

Cross sputters and his blush grows even darker as he looks away from Killer "Stop being weird..." Killer laughs and hugs Cross.

Horror watches them with a fond look before turning his focus on Ngihtmare and getting him to eat his soup. Something about little babybones needing energy to heal and grow.

Dust gets to work on his own meal as he watches the others. Soul feeling warm and content to see them all here. He really likes not being alone anymore.

*---------------------*

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And if you haven't check out Spotaus's lovely drabble !!

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from The Desert Sun:

Millions of acres of national forests and other public lands could be sold for housing development, per language inserted into the U.S. Senate's proposed budget on June 12. California's national forests and the state's significant BLM lands are part of the lands “eligible for disposal” in the proposal.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee's proposed bill text for the budget reconciliation package would require the sale of up to 3.3 million acres of national public lands in every state in the West except Montana, where the state's Republican Congressional delegation is opposed to selling federally managed lands. National parks, monuments and other protected wilderness areas are excluded.

In a video accompanying the draft, Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah noted that about a third of land in the US is managed by the federal government, including about 70% of his state.

“That’s not sustainable,” he says in the recording. “It’s not fair. It’s not serving the Americans who actually live here. We’re opening underused federal land to expand housing, support local development, and get Washington, D.C., out of the way of communities that are just trying to grow.”

Environmental groups blasted the proposal, noting there are no affordability requirements for what type of housing would be built, and popular hiking, hunting and scenic areas near major cities and towns would be the most likely to be lost, because they're closest to roads, power lines and other infrastructure.

"If you see a parcel of public land that is near a community that's a beautiful space that people would love to hike, hunt and fish on. Those are the parcels that are most likely to get sold off," said Aaron Weiss, deputy director of the Center for Western Priorities. "If someone wants to build gated communities and trophy homes for billionaires in the Angeles National Forest, that would absolutely be allowed and even encouraged under this amendment."

The Angeles National Forest sits above the greater Los Angeles basin and was where the devastating Eaton Fire started in January, killing at least 18 people, destroying or damaging about 7,000 homes and burning 14,000 acres. A separate USDA emergency order has decreed a 25% increase in timber production on nearly 113 million acres of national forests, including in Southern California.

"This massive sell-off proposal isn’t about affordable housing; it’s really about mega-mansions for the rich and real estate speculators who will stand to make billions off our public lands," said Randi Spivak, public lands policy director with the Center for Biological Diversity. "People won’t stand for this, and we won't back down until these measures are stripped from the bill.”

The land sale bill language requires the Interior secretary and Forest Service chief to identify up to 1,837,500 acres of BLM land and 1,447,500 acres of USFS land for sale, respectively. The land will be made available for sale to local governments and developers through a nomination process, but does not appear to require any public hearings or consultation.

The bill text also includes no affordability requirement, no maximum lot size, and requires the land be sold at fair market rate, Weiss said. After 10 years, the land could also be converted to other uses.

[meret118]

ETA: "But it makes sense when you realize his goal is to create something like Russia where the economy is run by a few oligarchs loyal to him," Chakrabarti added. "Creating that state is hard in a large, dynamic, powerful economy with too many actors who can oppose him. So he's accelerating concentrating money and power into the hands of his loyalists while he crashes the rest out."

Responding to this, Ball asserted that "at this point, until proven otherwise, the primary actor in the government and the economy is actually Elon, so I think it makes sense to think of Elon's incentives here and what he may actually want to accomplish."

"If you think back at the last economic crashes—both in Covid and in the 2008 financial crash—while initially everyone suffered, including the rich, out of both, the rich were able to buy up assets on the cheap and emerged even wealthier and more powerful than before," she noted.

"So in 2008, not only did they get their own custom bailout, but they were able to buy housing stock at absurdly low prices," Ball recalled. "The rich got richer than ever, inequality skyrocketed, and the big banks got bigger than ever."

"Same deal with the Covid-era recession," she continued. "So, while again, everyone suffered initially, there was a huge bailout package which, yes, did benefit ordinary people, but if you look at who came out really on top... you could see people like Elon Musk, people like Jeff Bezos, people like Mark Zuckerberg getting far wealthier. Their net worths, which were already very high, skyrocketed beyond anyone's wildest dreams."

“To understand the federal government, it is like a corporate takeover at scale, but one where the company is actually in much worse shape than any commercial company could ever be,” Musk said at the conference, reported CNN’s Hadas Gold.

Musk then went on to say that “logically we should prioritize anything that can reasonably be privatized,” including public services such as the postal service and Amtrak.

Last month, officials with the United States Postal Service flagged that the Trump administration was looking to dissolve the organization’s governing board and place it under the control of the Commerce Department and Secretary Howard Lutnick. Experts believe doing so would likely violate federal law.

-------

It's vulture capitalism of an entire country. I don't know why I'm surprised. It's the same thing big oil is doing to the entire planet. And none of them care how many people they kill.

Do the republicans in congress realize when the stock market crashes like it's 1929 they'll lose their money too?