#Import Export Course Near Me

[mindmelter]

Five Alien Hosts: Adventures In Italy (Part 1) - Vacation

(This series is a Sequel of "Five Aliens On Board Of Hunks". So before diving into this story, I recommend reading its prequel. Although this chapter still works on its own. Enjoy it.)

_____________________________

Victor and the five alien controlled hunks landed in Italy, they were now at the airport waiting for Victor's next orders.

"So, what's the plan, Master? I've already canceled all my host's meetings for the week, just like you asked me." Sylo, the alien bug inside the man's brain, said.

Victor sighed and sat in front of him. He ran his hand through his hair as he analyzed the situation they were in. "I'm still thinking about it. The plan was to release all five of you once we arrived at the resort. Then, you guys would take over some of the hot Italian guests there. But I wasn't expecting the five of you to disobey my orders and take over these five hunks on the plane..."

"Do Master wish for us to abandon our hosts?" Sylo asked.

"No, I really like the bodies you guys picked. Specially yours... don't tell your brothers but your host is my favorite. I like that you went straight for the business class for the prime meat. What is his name by the way? We should use the host's names while in public"

"His name is Alexander"

"Where was he going?"

"He was going to a business meeting here in Italy. He's quite a busy and important man. His dad owned an internacional car exporter company and of course Alexander here is now the CEO of the company"

"Interesting, having a rich host might be helpful"

Victor and Sylo's attention suddenly turned to a muscular Arab man near them: It was Grus's bodybuilder host. He was screaming to someone on the phone, he seemed very angry "Yes, that's right! I will not attend the bodybuilding competition this year... I know I said I would be there... I don't have to explain why... fuck the contracts, I want you to shove them up your ass!" He shouted hanging up the call.

"Grus really knows how to imitate the personalities of his hosts" Sylo commented.

Near the angry bodybuilder was Quin's footballer host, the football player was with his girlfriend, who was waiting for him at the airport, but now it looked like they were having a heated discussion. The couple was finally going to reunite after two months apart, well, that was before one of Victor's alien bugs crawled inside the stud's brain and took over his hot body.

"What do you mean you are travelling again? I waited for you for two months! You said you would focus on our relationship once you were back"

"I have more important things to do now" He said in a flat tone.

"More important than our relationship? What's wrong with you?" The woman shouted and pushed Quin's host. "That's it, It's over for us!" She shouted storming away. The handsome blond athlete continued standing with a blank face expression, as if his girlfriend of five years hadn't just ended their relationship. He then turned to look at Victor with his blank face and smirked, giving Victor a thumbs up.

Victor then looked at Echo's Daddy host sitting on a near seat with his wife and children. While Yinx's host was talking with the host's girlfriend, she was confused as why her boyfriend had decided not to visit her parents anymore.

Those five men boarded the plane with different plans for themselves and their loved ones. Now, they were nothing but husks for the tiny alien bugs to control. The aliens were now the ones on board their bodies, and it was now up to Victor to create a new plan for all of them. Victor then turned to Alexander.

"Only Echo's daddy host was already going to the same resort as me, all the other hosts had different plans." Victor said.

"Why don't we all go together to the resort, Master? All our hosts have canceled their appointments as you ordered, our hosts are now free of any human burden."

"But you guys don't have reservations, I only made one reservation for myself"

"You don't have to worry about that, Master. My host is a millionarie, he's the CEO of an internacional car company. He's so rich that I could rent the entire resort if I wanted. I'm sure I could arrange five reservations for him and my brothers's hosts"

"This sounds like a good plan. Connect me to the others, please" Victor ordered.

Alexander then closed his eyes and pressed his fingers on his temples for a few seconds. Victor watched as the other four hosts stopped moving to receive the mental signal. This was one of the bugs' abilities: They were able to communicate telepathically to each other. They all shared the same mental link and could communicate as long as they weren't too far away from one another.

"They are hearing you Master" Sylo's host spoke with his eyes white rolling back. Victor leaned closer to him.

"Ok, listen to me, guys. We are still going to the resort as it was the original plan, only now you will go into your new hosts. You guys know the rules..." Victor said, and Sylo passed the message to the others like a group call.

"Yes Master, while inside a host we must take their Identity as well" Alexander responded for the five of them.

"That's right, unless we are in private that you guys can stop acting like them. Now let's go, this vacation is not only for me but for you guys too. After helping me fuck with every hot guy that I wanted for the past year, you guys deserve a break"

"Thank you, Master" Sylo responded for the five of the alien bugs.

_____________________________

The next day, Victor and the five alien hosts were enjoying the Saturday morning at one of the most expensive resorts in Italy. Sylo used his host's money to pay for all the expenses, and to get the best rooms.

Victor was sharing a room with Sylo's host, Alexander.

Echo's daddy host — whose name was David — was sharing a room with his family.

Yinx's host was sharing a room with his girlfriend, who was still mad at him for changing their plans of meeting with her parents to spending a weekend at the resort.

Quin's footballer host and Grus's bodybuilder host were sharing a room together as the bodybuilder was single and the football player had just ended his long term relationship at the airport.

The night before, while Alexander was fucking Victor on their bed, Victor commanded Sylo to connect his mind with his brothers, so all the hosts could feel what Alexander was feeling. In the next room, Yinx's was fucking his host's girlfriend. In another, Quin's footballer host was getting a blowjob from Grus's bodybuilder host.

When Alexander came inside Victor, Sylo sent a powerful orgasmic signal towards every single one of the four hosts in the other rooms, in which all came together at the same time.

Victor woke up to an empty bed, Alexander wasn't in the room anymore. Victor, still lying on the bed stared at the ceiling and started to smile as he remembered all the fun he had the night before. Victor fell asleep with Alexander's hard cock buried deep inside him. Victor grunted in disappointment, he wanted to start the day with a morning fuck, so where the hell was Sylo with his hot host? He grabbed his phone on the nightstand and saw a message from Alexander.

"Good morning, Master. I'm having breakfast at the restaurant near the coast. I didn't want to wake you up so I went alone"

Victor quickly put his clothes on, and on his way to meeting with Alexander, he saw David—Echo's host—relaxing on a chair with his family. Victor passed by and admired the dad in black speedos." He couldn't believe that just a day before he was cumming on those hairy pecs in the airplane bathroom.

David grinned at Victor and unpretentiously adjusted his bulge, only Victor knew it was very much Intentional, Echo was trying to tease Victor with his new sexy Daddy host. Victor then spotted Alexander sitting at a table alone, and walked to him.

"Why don't you two just fuck each other right there in front of everyone?" Alexander joked, the restaurant area had a clear view of David.

"God, I wish I could. You guys picked the most hottest men on that plane." Victor said sitting on his side, then he took Alexander's glass of orange juice and took a sip, just for fun he spat inside and handed the glass back to Alexander, who smiled.

"You taught us how to pick the best human males."

"I sure did. I'm so lucky to have you guys in my life. These men wouldn't give me the light of the day if it wasn't for literal aliens taking over their brains."

They both laughed, then Alexander gulped down the juice. "You're right, Master. Alexander would only fuck female models. You would never be on his dating pool, but you don't have to worry about that anymore. With us in control you're the only one that they will ever have eyes on"

David blushed.

Suddendly Alexander froze for a few seconds and his eyes rolled back.

"Is everything ok?" Victor asked. Alexander then pressed two fingers on his temple.

"I'm getting a mental link from Yinx... He wants to talk with you in private.... he's at the... hotel's gym."

"I better go see what he wants" Victor said standing up. "Won't you give me a kiss, Master?" Alexander asked pulling Victor by the shirt and planting a gentle kiss on his lips.

Victor walked to the gym, once there he saw that the place was almost empty with the exception of Yinx's host — Anthony — working out at the bicycle's area.

"Hey Master!" Yinx said, giving Victor a warm smile.

"Hey sexy. I'm seeing you're really enjoying your new muscles."

"What can I say? I love working the muscles of my hosts, there's just something very addicting about this human practice, I like the pain it causes."

"Can you give me a flex? Please?"

"Of course Master"

Victor started to sweat and a tent started to form in his shorts. It was too hot to have someone like Anthony flexing for him.

"God, I will never get used to this." Victor squeezed Anthony's biceps, then lifted one arm and sniffed on his sweaty armpit, he had a strong musk and Victor wasted no time in giving it a few licks. "So, uuummffh... Sylo said you wanted to.. mmmffhhh.. talk to me?"

"Yes, follow me, Master" They both walked to a more private area at the gym, then Anthony sat on a couch.

"Earlier I was jogging and I noticed a man following me with his car, he was taking photos of me. But when I tried to confront him, he said he knew what I was and then drove off"

"That's weird. It must have been just a gay pervert. Your new host is too hot, you will attract some creeps"

"You might be right" Anthony said looking down.

"And how are you dealing with Anthony's girlfriend?"

"She's driving me insane, Master. I fucked her last night to make her happy, while I was inside her I felt Sylo sending me an orgasmic mental link. Anthony came so fast while feeling what Sylo's host was feeling. His girlfriend thought he came for her, but he actually came for you, Master"

"Wait, are you hard right now?" Victor asked.

"No I'm not" Anthony responded, playfully covering his crotch with his manly hands.

"I think you are" Victor taunted "C'mon, show me"

Victor was shocked when Anthony uncovered his crotch, there was a dark wet patch on his pants. Yinx's made Anthony cum by just remembering the night before.

"You horny bastard"

"I can't help it, I wish it was me fucking you last night, Master. It's not fair that only Sylo can share a room with you. I would love to fuck you with my new meat"

"Aaawwnn, we can make that happen, Yinx. No need to be all jealous. I have plenty of ass for the five of you"

Suddenly, Victor felt his phone buzzing inside his pocket, so he grabbed it and saw a new message from David. It was a photo of him wearing only dark blue speedos while posing to a mirror.

"Wife is out with the kids, I'm all alone now. What do you think of coming over and having some fun? This host has so much more than just some hairy pecs, you need so see his hairy ass"

"I-I have to go now" Victor said.

Yinx's host nodded and Victor made his way to David's room, his heart raced with anticipation. He couldn't wait to have some fun with Echo's host. When he arrived at the door, he knocked softly only to realize the door was already open. David's deep voice called out, "Come in."

Victor stepped inside, taking in the sight before him. David was lying on the bed, wearing only a pair of dark blue speedos that did little to hide his impressive junk.

"Hey, David," Victor said, closing the door behind him. "Thanks for the invite." He walked over to the bed and sat down beside David, their legs brushing against each other.

"No problem, buddy," David replied with a sultry smile. "I've been looking forward to this." He reached out and ran his hand through Victor's hair, making the younger man shiver. "So, what do you want to do? I'm up to anything"

Victor leaned in closer, feeling the heat emanating from David's body. "Well," he began, "I've been thinking about that message you sent me..."

David smiled, his eyes glinting in the candlelight. "You mean about my hairy ass?" He reached down and took hold of Victor's erection, stroking it gently through his pants. Victor arched into the touch, unable to hide his desire.

"Yeah," Victor whispered, his heart racing. "I've been wanting to have more fun with you since I came on your pecs on the plane." He leaned in and kissed David, their lips meeting in a passionate exchange as Victor sucked on the married dad's tongue. Their hands moved frantically over each other's bodies.

As David took Victor's clothes off, a new idea began to form in Victor's mind. He glanced down at David's hairy chest and hard erection, and suddenly he had an image in his head. "I had an Idea" he whispered into David's ear.

David looked confused for a moment, but then Victor laid down on the bed with his hard member pointing up, and looked at David with a dirty look, who got the message right away...

"Oh fuck, yeah," Victor moaned, closing his eyes and throwing his head back. "That's it Echo, make this Daddy fuck himself on my cock." And with those words, the alien-controlled daddy began to fuck himself on Victor's hard cock ever harder. Victor opened his eyes to the sight of a burly hairy family dad squatting on his cock, he watched amazed as David's pecs bounced up and down with each movement. Victor grabbed each hairy pecs with his hands, sometimes he would pinch and twist the nipples. At one moment Victor even used David's nipples as a handle to guide the Daddy up and down. Soon they came together in a erotic, otherworldly union. As they reached their climaxes, waves of pleasure washed over them. Victor came inside the host, and the host came all over Victor. The room spun around them. David's breath came in ragged gasps, his hairy chest heaving as he clenched tightly around Victor's cock.

Slowly, they began to regain their composure and their breathing returning to normal. David pulled off of Victor with a satisfied sigh, his cock still hard and glistening with their shared sweat. He reached down and started to lick Victor's body clean, erasing any trace of cum.

"That was incredible," Victor whispered, his voice husky with desire "thank you, Echo." He leaned in and kissed David gently on the lips as he caressed the man's fur.

"My pleasure, Master" David replied, putting one hand behind his head "Anytime you want some more fun, you know where to find me. This brainless Daddy is yours to use."

They both shared a laugh.

_____________________________

Later that day, Victor walked back into his room to find Alexander talking on the phone. He was speaking in a strange language — was it Arabic? Or Turkish? Victor couldn't tell.

"Hey, Sylo, what are you doing on the phone? I thought I said to cancel your host's meetings for the week. You should be outside having a good time in your new body" Victor said.

Alexander muttered something into the phone and then muted it. “This host is much more important than you think, Master. He can't just disappear for a week. People will start looking for him" he growled, shooting a stern look in Victor's direction. Victor couldn't help but roll his eyes. Sylo was the most stubborn of the five bugs.

"Let them. It's not like they will suspect he's just a brainless empty husk for an alien bug now. You should be relaxing, not working"

Alexander suddenly tore his shirt off and glared at Victor with a menacing expression, making it clear that he was not amused.

Victor's heart raced as he felt a surge of adrenaline course through his veins. He knew Sylo was just playing pretend with his host's dominant personality, but still, seeing such a big muscular man giving him such a look would still make him sweat. Victor was still very much human.

"Why don't you use your slutty mouth to worship my muscles instead, while I'm doing real man stuff?" Alexander growled.

Victor's cheeks flushed red, but he couldn't help the surge of desire that coursed through his body. He looked at Alexander's muscles, meeting his intense gaze, and felt a strange sense of submission wash over him. Without hesitation, he sat onto Alexander's thighs and started to kiss and lick his chest, moving lower towards his hard stomach.

As he licked at the six-pack, Alexander went back to talking on the phone in a foreign language.

"Flex, please" Victor asked, and Alexander obeyed, flexing his right arm so Victor could grope and lick at the hard muscles, especially the biceps.

Victor then kneeled between Alexander's legs and unzipped his pants, fishing out the hard and thick 8 Inches member. He traced the outline of the shaft with his tongue before wrapping his lips around it and taking it deep into his mouth. Alexander let out a guttural moan while still on the phone, his free hand tangling in Victor's hair as he thrusted his hips forward.

Victor reveled in the power he felt in the moment, the power of sucking off a straight rich CEO that in his normal self would never even acknowledge his existence. He worked his mouth expertly, sucking and licking until he felt Alexander's climax approach, his body tensing and shuddering beneath Victor's expert mouth.

Finally, Alexander cried out in pleasure, his hips bucking wildly as he came, filling Victor's mouth with his seed. Victor swallowed every drop, relishing the taste of his friend's host on his tongue. As the intensity of the moment began to wane, he looked up at Alexander.

"You are such a good little slut," Alexander growled, his voice still heavy with arousal. He had ended the call when he started to orgasm.

Victor couldn't help but smile up at him. He had never expected to feel this way about one host, but there was something so thrilling about being called "a good little slut" by someone like Alexander.

"Now," Alexander continued, his voice taking on a commanding tone, "I want you to sit onto the bed and wait there. I have something special planned for you"

Victor was confused, but as if on cue, the door opened and Grus's middle eastern bodybuilder host stepped inside. Loking around the room Grus's host turned to Alexander. "You sent me a signal, brother?"

[darkmaga-returns]

The High Court of Kenya has suspended a series of highly controversial legal immunities and privileges recently awarded to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Context

It is one of the most widespread practices in international relations since antiquity.

Diplomatic immunity is the principle by which only government officials such as ambassadors and their employees are granted protection from local lawsuits and prosecution of another country. This is to ensure that diplomats cannot be coerced or harassed when tensions arise between states.

Picture source

In an extraordinary  and concerning decision under  Kenya’s  Privileges and Immunities Act,  Kenya had granted diplomatic protection to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a private entity,  and their employees.  Privileges included:

·        Exemption from  Kenya’s direct taxes and tariffs

·        Immunity from legal action for acts done in Kenya in the course of official duties

·        Exemption from  Kenya’s national service obligation (conscription)

·        Immunity from immigration restrictions for Gates Foundation’s employees, their spouses and dependents

·        Exemption from taxes on income.

Strikingly, these types of privileges  are near-identical to those awarded to European merchants trading which undermined the Ottoman Empire from the 16th to the 20th century.

Capitulations

16th century copy of the first  capitulations signed between Charles IX of France and Sultan Selim II in 1569. Picture source. 

The term ‘capitulations’ referred to the headings or chapters in a treaty. They allowed non-Muslim traders entering the Ottoman Empire to be exempt from:

·        prosecution by local courts

·        import and export taxes, local taxation,

·        military conscription (national service)

·        the searching of their domicile

First introduced by France into the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century, capitulations were subsequently signed with 18 European countries plus the United States until the start of World War 1 in 1914.

[mariacallous]

The Trump administration has good reasons to put Japan near the top of the list in its whirlwind round of global trade talks, hoping a deal with a country it believes to be under Washington’s thumb would set a no-nonsense tone for tougher talks ahead. Yet the bureaucrats in the Japanese government, with experience and institutional knowledge going back to the bruising trade battles of the 1980s and ’90s, are unlikely to be pushovers.

The 24 percent punitive tariffs that U.S. President Donald Trump initially set for Japan raised alarm bells in Tokyo, especially since the important auto sector was hit with separate 25 percent levies. The administration has not made clear how the two tariffs would work and if they would be simply stacked on top of each other. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told a parliamentary hearing in April that the tariff threat “can be called a national crisis and the government is doing its best with all parties” to lessen the impact. This is, of course, just what Trump wanted, with boasts at the time that more than 50 countries all wanted to cut deals with him.

One area of astonishment for Japanese officials was where the 24 percent figure for tariffs came from, which seemed to be a ChatGPT-generated formula based not, as claimed, on the other nation’s tariff rates but on the balance of trade. “Why didn’t they look at the website for the World Trade Organization? They could have seen that Japan’s tariff rate averages around 2 to 4 percent,” one exasperated former senior trade official told me. It is not the only area of miscommunication.

The two sides have held two rounds of talks in Washington, with the 25 percent auto tariff the main area of contention, according to Japanese officials.

U.S. officials can point to a number of reasons why Tokyo might sue for peace in a trade war. Japan has long enjoyed a healthy trade surplus with the United States, totaling $68.5 billion in 2024. Japanese exporters have also benefited from a sharp 25 percent decline in the Japanese yen since 2020. This means that, despite the howls, they have plenty of wiggle room to absorb some or all of the tariff costs. In this one instance at least, Trump had a point when he contended that tariffs could serve as a way to tax foreign suppliers rather than U.S. consumers.

Most importantly, Japan needs the United States for its strategic nuclear defense, especially in the face of an increasingly aggressive China. In Trump 1.0, Washington had quietly threatened to demand payment of $8 billion per year to cover the costs of the extensive U.S. military presence in Japan, primarily the southernmost islands of Okinawa. This would represent a fivefold increase from the current estimate of around $2 billion, which mostly covers the cost of civilian workers and other ancillary costs at the bases that hold 55,000 U.S. military personnel.

The other risk for Japan is the auto sector. Japanese automakers like to say they are good U.S. corporate citizens. They point to investments of more than $66 billion in U.S. manufacturing and the fact that one-third of all autos produced in the United States are made by Japanese brands. But imported parts and vehicles still represent a large share of what Japanese automakers sell in North America. The auto sector accounts for about 30 percent of all Japanese exports to the United States. This includes 1.5 million autos yearly.

Japan has said the 25 percent tariffs are a nonstarter, but the issue is also dear to Washington’s (meaning Trump’s) heart. With the overwhelming success of Japanese autos in the U.S. market since the 1970s, it is a highly visible target. In addition, the Trump team can point to the now-famous “chicken tariffs” of 1964, in which Washington imposed 25 percent tariffs on imported small trucks. This has been cited as giving Detroit one of its few areas of success, managing to keep the globally ubiquitous Toyota pickup largely out of the U.S. market.

Japan does hold one trump card in all this. With its $1.126 trillion in U.S. Treasury securities, it is the world’s largest foreign holder of U.S. debt, well ahead of mainland China at No. 2, with just $784 billion. The health of the U.S. Treasury bond market has already proved to be a risk for the Trump administration. Even though stocks posted large losses after the April 2 announcement of tariffs, analysts were more concerned about the fact that Treasury securities were also being sold off, the opposite of what normally happens in times of crisis. Any sharp downturn in bonds could create a firestorm effect where large holders feel the need to join the exit, leading to a potential market crash.

Japanese officials initially said they would not consider such a move. “As an ally, we would not intentionally take action against U.S. government bonds, and causing market disruption is certainly not a good idea,” Itsunori Onodera, policy chief for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said in mid-April.

This was echoed by Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato, who then seemed to change his mind by saying that they could be considered, only to then go back to his original view days later. If the goal was to confuse the other side, the Japanese government has certainly succeeded.

Japan has used such language in previous trade spats. In June 1997, when Japan was under severe pressure for being too successful in making and selling automobiles, televisions, and video recorders, Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto stunned the markets when he rather abruptly said in remarks at Columbia University that he hoped Washington would pursue the right policies “so we don’t have to succumb to the temptation to sell off U.S. Treasury bills.” The comment was quickly “clarified” by Japanese officials, but the point was made.

It’s possible that U.S.-Japan talks could actually create the elusive “win-win” adored by writers of business books. Both governments share the view that the Japanese yen’s decline of 25 percent has been too much. The weak yen helps Japanese multinationals, especially for the profitability of their foreign operations. But it has also pushed up prices sharply for Japanese consumers, who are deeply unhappy about inflation after three decades of steady or slightly declining prices. The core index was up to 3.4 percent in April, well above the Bank of Japan’s 2 percent target and runs the risk of spiraling higher as the higher costs of imported raw materials and food stuffs work into the domestic economy.

One easy win would be for an increase in imports of rice, a Japanese staple that occupies a traditionally sacred role. Retail prices in Japan have shot up 90 percent over the past year as recent poor harvests and the mass retirement of the postwar generation of farmers has suddenly hit supply.

Japan is deeply defensive about its domestic rice production, and imported rice has theoretically carried a top-line tariff of anywhere from 200 to 788 percent, depending on the calculation, a figure jumped on by the Trump team. The true situation is more complex, with a certain quota allowed in tariff-free. Dropping the overall tariff could be seen as a big win for the Trump administration and would help solve the rice sticker shock in Japan. The only potential flaw for the Trump administration is that the most suitable import would be Japonica rice from blue-state California, but you can’t have everything.

One red herring in the trade feud is the issue of the sale, or the lack thereof, of U.S. cars in Japan. Trump is not the first U.S. president to raise this. Barack Obama, on a trip to Japan in 2014, complained to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that he didn’t see any U.S. cars on the streets. “You have to do something about that,” he is quoted as saying in Abe’s memoirs.

Abe tried to push back by noting that Japan has a no import duty on vehicles, but that didn’t help much. There is some reasonable complaining about non-tariff barriers, especially over testing, although Trump’s long-standing claim that Japan requires a car to withstand a falling bowling ball has led to considerable confusion over where he got the idea.

There are many reasons for the paucity of U.S. cars on Japanese streets. While Japan is the world’s third-largest auto market, at 4.4 million in annual sales, 35 percent of these are low-powered small cars and small (very small) trucks that are well suited to the myriad narrow streets, even in major cities such as Tokyo. There are some buyers of BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes, and Porsches, but foreign makers overall account for just 5 percent of the market. It is difficult to see what Detroit could bring in that would replace any of these market niches. In addition, a presence in the market is not just about the initial sale. The need for repair departments with properly trained mechanics, an inventory of spare parts, and the high level of service demanded by Japanese consumers make the idea a logistical nightmare. This prompted Ford to pull completely out of the market in 2016, citing the overhead costs to support sales of 5,000 vehicles a year.

In the end, an agreement is almost certain to be announced since it is too important for either side to have it end in failure. A deal is likely to have the classic formula when negotiating with the Japanese bureaucracy: headlines looking as if the United States emerged the winner, announcements of large-scale investments that are already planned, and little-noticed details in the final text that ensure the agreement has little impact on Japan’s economy or its exporters.

In fact, some Japanese economists are already saying there is less to the dispute than meets the eye. “The negative impact on Japan will be limited so Japan should not be overly swayed by the changing policies of the U.S.,” Keiko Ito, a professor at Chiba University’s Graduate School of Social Sciences, said at a recent press seminar. She said that in most cases, domestic substitution would take years to create and that in key areas such as auto parts, the imports represent an internal company transfer where pricing is less critical. The bigger issue, Ito said, is the risk of a global recession. “What we are more concerned about is a contraction of trade globally, and that could result in the stagnation of the global economy.”

[smartpartsexports9]

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[001smartparts]

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[solmoraproject]

Solmora's flying metropolis: Eolia

"A flying metropolis?" Yes, a flying metropolis! It floats on the clouds thanks to a large concentration of a special mineral called "Aerialite", a crystalline mineral with strong diamagnetic properties, it repels the magnetic currents of Solmora’s core, allowing massive structures to hover and drift naturally through the air. Most of what keeps the place running is built within the clouds themselves.

Aerialite is such an interesting material, but we must keep our focus to the topic at hand, Eolia.

The metropolis has many, many districts. It was built during the monster-human war as a way for humans to escape in case their numbers dwindled to a minimum. The districts include; a Culture district, entertainment district, shopping district, living district, and an ecological and agricultural district.

Note 3: Flora is found everywhere in Eolia, but the inclusion of a district specifically dedicated to plants and agriculture is something the writer of this article really likes.

The living district:

The culture district already has a good amount of student living spaces, along with shops (which happens to all the other districts, too!), but of course, as the name suggests, the main aspect of this place are the living spaces. There are also many parties and festivals which take place here due to the population volumes, and everyone is happy and willing to share their culture with others.

Some of the celebrations include the Flower festival, where flowers and other similar decorations are placed all around, along with a pleasant, floral scent permeating the air. Some people like opening their windows during this event, so the smell can enter their homes and remind them that it is okay to relax and get a good day of rest when needed.

The festival takes place in the first week of spring, symbolizing growth and new begginings. The smell also has cultural significance, since the peace treaty between humans and monsters took at a similar time near spring, and after peace was signed, a floral smell seemed to permeate the air all around Solmora. It is a good reminder of how far our society has got, and how much further it can get if we work together and in harmony. The flower festival last three days, during which any employee may choose not to work, and instead rest at home, smelling the flowers.

This is also where most office work takes place, there are very, very tall skyscrapers where people go to. It is unnecesary, as most work from home, but many enjoy having a physical place assosiated to their tasks to keep their work/life balance in check.

Note 4: As the writer and editor of this article, I would personally REALLY love to see a flower festival in person!

The shopping district:

Food, gear, potions, materials, clothing and other technology are all sold in the shopping district! Interestingly, there is a strict policy on pets; they must always be on a leash, and the owners must carry a bag for their pet's waste to pick it up. Also, there are pet shops in here, but they don't sell pets, they only allow for adoption. Of course, everything else is sold, too (collars, pet food, etc). Pets are considered life-long companions on Solmora, their deaths mourned as that of a close family member, which would explain the policy's strict enforcement not to keep pets as mere status symbols.

Also, the metropolis' imports and exports happen here, there is a harbor, refered to as "Sky sailing harbor" by the locals, with many flying ships and airplanes, which take off after being loaded with cargo.

Near the harbor, of course, is Eolia's airport, where comercial flights and the like land and take off in. There isn't much else to note, however, this is the most visited place in Eolia for adventurers who want to upgrade their gear.

Note 5: Sadly, there are no special events that occur here… But it is interesting to me how much variety of merchandise there is available.

The culture district:

This is the most interesting place in all of Eolia, no doubt. The culture district holds great pride in its museums, which show off a variety of well researched, mindfully redacted and safely kept cultures, both human and monster. One of this events includes the monster-human war, where the events themselves are told with as close fidelity to reality as possible.

It is also where the best university resides, Eolia University. The culture district of Eolia metropolis has been and is leader in both human and monster rights around the entire region, and Eolia University is well respected for its scientific papers and studies, both fighting for equality for everyone.

Note 6: This district's director is not great with names… For example, did you know all the museums here are named after which events or timelines they portray?

Entertainment district:

The (real) cultural and celebratory center of all Solmora. Festivals happen on a week-to-week basis, celebrating a large variety of both human and monster cultures, along with many other things. For example, there's Eolia's movie theater, where the result of human and monster cultural exchange is best shown; through movies! There is also a smaller library immediatly next to it, where you can get the books some movies are based off of. Personally though, the movies tend to be better, more improved versions of the books.

This is also where another event takes place, where awards are granted to some of the 'best movies' under multiple categories. Here are some of the categories: 'Best rated by public', 'Hidden gem' and 'Best soundtrack'.

Note 7: The parties here are also insane! I'm not a party person though, so I can't really write on that…

The ecological and agricultural district:

This one took me a long time to research, due to the large variety of animals and plants that are kept in there, so here is my best attempt:

The ecological and agricultural district of Eolia is the manifestation of all our civilization's acknowledgement, care and love for the enviroment of our planet, Solmora. It compiles many, many plants and animals in custom-built habitats and greenhouses for preservation and research purposes. It is by far the largest district, situated right at the centre of the circle-shaped metropolis of Eolia. But it is not just greenhouses and habitats in here, some of the more social animals are allowed to roam freely to interact with people, and there are also plently of plazas situated around, with benches, swings and the like that allow Eolia citizens to enjoy nature as much as their hearts desire.

Eolia's main district also has more practical uses. For example, the plants help decontaminate the air, which has shown to help keep Eolia's magnetic field stable and the metropolis afloat, as well as being a self-sustaining source of food for the people living in Eolia, which would explain the low food costs in here (Seriously, eating here is suprisingly not that expensive, at least with vegetarian food).

Interestingly, there isn't much automation in the agricultural side of things; voluntary work is always welcome. Many citizens participate in community efforts within the district, be it tending to crops, caring for the fauna, or assisting researchers. This voluntary work is not only deeply valued culturally, but also recognized economically; in return for their help maintaining the heart of Eolia, participants are granted access to subsidized housing within the Living District, or in some cases, rent-free residency. This symbiotic relationship between citizen and city is one of the many reasons Eolia is often praised as a model of balance between progress, ecology, and equity.

Note 8: I went to do some of the manual labor at the agricultural area. It was fun, but it's really tiring...

The most common plants and animals around the ecological and agricultural district:

Here are some of the most common plants and animals I found during my visit, researching these was a lot of fun!

The Bloomroot Lotus:

A large, glowing aquatic flower found in Eolia’s artificial wetlands. Its petals react to nearby emotional states, blooming wide in the presence of joy or calm, and closing tight near distress or conflict. It’s commonly used as a peace-indicator in therapy gardens and quiet zones. The roots are edible and used in tea that’s said to "soothe the soul."

Pebblecaps:

A type of mushroom, often confused with normal, everyday rocks. Native to plain landscapes, they have large, durable heads that touch the ground, keeping most of the inner body hidden. When stepped on, they compress and then launch the weight off them with surprising force, like living trampolines. Their spores smell faintly like cinnamon and are studied for energy transfer properties. There aren't that many of these, but some monsters like to use them to practice their flight and gliding skills, especially the younger ones.

Gloom Petal:

The gloom petal is a small flower native to the jungles. It is a pink flower with five to seven petals, known for its sweet scent. It is used on many things; crushed for spices and syrups, mixed into potions as an anti-depressant and a way to prevent memory loss, and it is used as bait in fishing and hunting, although its early harvesting was really dangerous, as its sweet scent atracted predators, especially in high concentrations.

Inside the district, Mimimites and Cloudweavers enjoy the smell of the flower, and tend to rest close to them.

Cloudweaver foxes:

Small animals with long, silken fur that floats slightly behind them in wispy tendrils. Their three tails split like mist in the air. They use them to hyptonize prey, but they're very shy around people; even in large packs, they will run away when approached. They emit a trail of mist that reflects recent movements or figures it’s seen, creating hazy, ghostlike illusions that trail behind it. This is a survival mechanism, but they are also very pretty to look at in large packs.

Cloudweaver's natural habitat is the Jade Forest. where they eat apples that fall off the trees, although what they prey on is still unknown. In Eolia's agricultural and ecological district, however, they like hanging out in cloudy areas closer to the inner facility's edges. In the past, some cloudweavers unfortunately fell out of Eolia through the openings in the facilities' fences, which is why now there are half-walls instead.

Interestingly, some farmers use them to guard crop zones, as the illusions confuse pests or predators, and their mist is studied by illusion magic researchers, sometimes bottled into potion ingredients to amplify perception or hide movements.

Fun fact: These shy creatures really enjoy getting affection! They often wait for people to sit down on one of the many plaza's benches, and slowly approach them for company. Some even have favorite people they like visiting, and you can even adopt them if you feel so inclined!

Mimimites:

Small critter insects with fragile wings that change color constantly in a pastel, undersaturated hue. They are very passive, and they can imitate almost any sound that they hear in a soft, melodic tone. They are common in high-altitude gardens and some areas of the agricultural district; especially attracted to musical instruments and humming. Also local to the Jade forest, they sometimes like to scare off Cloudweavers by making noise.

They are often kept as companions by writers and storytellers as natural voice recorders, along with being used for mailing back in the day, when we didn't have the internet of electricity. Some still like to use them, though. They are also used to scare off certain flying birds from farmer's crops, along with being trained to act as pest alarms and being used to lure animals while hunting.

Note 9: I use them, personally! They're great to send messages, and keep my data safe!

Serravine:

A bright teal vine with saw-like edges on its leaves. It coils around nearby structures and trees, shimmering slightly when exposed to sunlight. It was used in the early days for building homes and keeping structures stable, nowadays its great for decor. It grows on forest trees, and it is highly reactive to touch. The moment pressure is applied to the leaves or vines, it curls inward protectively and stiffens like wire, sometimes trapping prey and later fertilizing the tree it grew on, so it must be handled carefully.

In Eolia, the vines in public parks have been genetically modified for decoration, able to store sunlight and be used as lightsources when night arrives, saving a lot of electricity expenses. The original Serravines are kept in greenhouses.

This plant is often used to make natural armors, rope, or reinforcement for structures in Eolia. Its leaves can be used to make a calming, pain-relieving soup, often accompanied with other ingrediets to be used as natural medicine. it is very spicy, however.

-Written by: Aspen Molore

[rhk111sblog]

The Italian Company "Fincantieri SpA" and the Germany Company "ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems" announced recently that they are entering a Strategic Partnership to support the Horizon III Military Modernization Program of the Philippine Navy (PN).

Their Agreement will focus on the supply of U212 Near Future Submarines (NFS). In addition to Submarine Delivery, their Partnership will include Training, Logistics and Doctrinal Assistance from the Italian Navy.

MY NOTES: Although they didn’t say it directly, I think based on their above Statements it is very clear that they offering the Type 212 NFS Submarine to the PN, which planning to acquire one for their Modernization. So this is the Reason for all these recent Activities of the PN with the Italian Navy, it looks like they are willing to help the PN in various Ways if the PN gets the Type 212 Sub.

The Type 212 Sub is a more advanced and a more recent Version than the Submarines that South Korea (SK) is offering, which is based on the Type 209, a very successful Model for Germany, by the Way. Of course SK has vastly improved and modernized the Type 209, but it is like the F-16 Fighting Falcon Fighter Aircraft Argument where the basic Design is from the 1970s even with their new Block 70/72 Version.

The difference between the F-16 and the Type 209 though is that Submarines are naturally stealthy, whether they are the older Type 209 or newer Type 212. The same can’t be said of the F-16, it is far cry from the F-35 Lightning II Stealth Fighter Aircraft.

European Products though are notorious also for being more expensive, so I think it will boil down to whether they can at least offer the same Features on their Subs for the same Price Point? Like for Example, if their Competitors offer Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) Technology with their Subs, can Fincantieri and ThyssenKrupp offer the same also?

One Thing unique about these Type 212s are their non-Magnetic Hulls, which makes Magnetic Mines ineffective against them because, of course, they won’t activate when near their Hulls. But the last time I read about this, they were only offering it to the German Navy and not to Export Customers.

It would certainly be a plus if they change their Policy and include that Feature in their Offer, but only as an additional Feature and not as a Compromise, like say, their Subs won’t have AIP but it will have a non-Magnetic Hull instead. No, that won’t do for me.

Another relatively unique Feature of these Type 212 Subs is its ability to fire Surface to Air Missiles (SAM), and it’s not just any Missile, it is the excellent “Infra-Red Imaging System-Tail/Thrust vector-controlled (IRIS-T)”. There are even plans to put a 30 mm cannon on the Type 212, but I don’t know if those SAMs and Cannon will be an important consideration for the PN.

The only Thing that sorts of bothers me about the Type 212 is there is no clear reference on what Anti-Ship or Land-Attack Missiles it can use. There are References that said it can fire those, but nothing Specific has been mentioned.

But again, not sure if the PN will also want that as an important Point for the Subs they intend to acquire. Overall, I like the Type 212, it is an outstanding Submarine, particularly its Sonar System which includes Towed, Flank and Circular Arrays.

But in the End I feel it remains to be seen if they can compete with the same or more Features with other Competitors like SK for the same or at least similar Price. Good luck to them though, I hope they make it also.

Here is the Link to the Article at the “Defense Industry Europe” Website: https://defence-industry.eu/fincantieri-and-thyssenkrupp-marine-systems-partner-to-support-philippine-navy-modernisation/

SOURCE: Fincantieri and Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems Partner to support Philippine Navy Modernisation {Archived Link}

[thegrassisaalwaysgreener]

Honeymoon Part 2- Seville 2024

March 13, 2024

We took a taxi to the Estacion de Sants (the main train station in Barcelona) since Uber and the Bold app weren’t working. We grabbed breakfast (bread, cheese and jamon of course) along with coffees before we got in the long line to go down to the trains. It seemed very chaotic at one point but we made it onto our speed train (250-300 km/hour!!). I upgraded our seats so that we had more room and a table which was really nice. There were people sitting across from us for part of the trip but it wasn’t a big deal. There was a small bar service with drinks and food as well. We both ended up getting some work done on the train which was great.

We arrived in Seville in the early afternoon after the 5 hour or so train ride. We hopped in an uber to the airport. We had contemplated walking since it didn’t look very far but we are very glad that we took an uber. The streets of Seville are very tight, windy and cobbled.

            We were staying at the Hotel Alfonso X which was located just outside of the city centre. For a bit of context, Seville (Pronounce Se-vi-ya) by locals, is the largest and capital city in the area known as Andalusia and the province of Seville. It has a city population of almost 700,000 whose old town is a small 4 square km area contained a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is a lovely harbour approximately 80 km from the Atlantic ocean and is the only river port in Spain. Since Seville is the main and most important inland port, many of the areas wines, fruits, cork, olives and minerals are exported there along with important oil, coil and metallurgical products. Along with im and exporting, tourism plays a large role in the cities economy. The motto of the city is NO8DO- No me ha dejado (She (Seville) has not abandoned me) which I think is pretty neat.

Our hotel room was averaged sized and clean. We had a small balcony that overlooked a beautiful courtyard. After unpacking (as I do on every trip), we headed up to the rooftop that had multiple levels to hang out on. They had a pool but it was closed during our stay which was fairly disappointing. The hotel itself was fairly confusing initially but we were able to find the rooftop along with the bar where you could get a few snacks and drinks along with lounge chairs with different views of the city. It was so beautiful!

            We enjoyed a few snacks and beers before heading down stairs to the Bartola restaurant before the spa. We enjoyed our first sangrias of the trip (heavy on the cinnamon) along with some tapas. The grilled octopus was one of the best I had ever tasted! With full bellies, we wandered around the area near the hotel before heading down the street to our spa. I had booked the Aire Ancient Baths spa that was amazing. They have thermal baths, swimming pools, saunas and spa services, all in a dark, mudjear-style palace lit with candlelight.  We started the visit with 15 minutes on their rooftop overlooking the city at sunset with champagne. Ic couldn’t have planned it better- sunset is my fave time. While cell phones are forbidden in the spa, I need mine to track my sugars from my CGM so took a few cheeky photos of the sunset. After our time was up, we headed downstairs where we changed into paper like bathing suits for our massages. While the massages were not the best we had ever had, it was a great way to unwind after a busy few days sightseeing. The rest of our time at the spa was spent going from pool to pool.

Once our time was up, we got ready and walked over to our dinner at Hummo (thanks to Andrew for the great suggestion). It wasn’t too far from our hotel and we enjoyed the best olives (Spanish green olives are just next level), croquettes, carpaccio, salmon tartar and the delicious rice dishes with grilled octopus, shrimp and lamb. With full bellies and plenty of left overs, we made our way back to the hotel for a good nights sleep.

March 14, 2024

Since Seville is big but not super big, we decided to do our own tour using rented E-bikes. There are many places to rent from but we found the process a bit painful as the gentleman had to get the bikes from their storage area and Mike’s didn’t work at first nor did they have the bike locks included so we had to go to another shop to pick them up (which was challenging in itself to find!). In any case, we grabbed our E-bikes and made our plan to bike all around the town. I had never been on an e-bike before and I thought they were so cool! While we still had to pedal and work a bit, the bike made covering longer distances much more tolerable,

We biked down by the water and checked out important spots like the Gold tower (Tore Del Oro), Basilica de la Macarena and the parliament buildings.  stuff. We biked over the Puente de la Barqueta and made our way around the Jardines del Guadalquivir and checked out where the 1992 Expo was held. There were some neat old monuments and décor from then which was fun. We made our way to an outdoor shopping for a late lunch. I had the best cold beet soup and fish dish while Mike enjoy a burrito (word to the wise, do not get burritos in Spain… Just trust me).

After lunch, we made our way back across the water to check out Plaza de Espana and Parque de Maria Luisa. There was so much history and beautiful art at the Plaza. I could’ve spent hours checking out all the beautiful art. Plaza  de Espana was built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition og 1929. It shows regional architecture and a mix of various styles such as Baroque, Renaissance and Moorish Revival styles (not that I quite understand them all). Once we finished our tour of the plaza (without taking a boat gondola unfortunately) we headed over to the busier area of Seville and checked out the bull ring before returning our bikes and freshening up for the evening.

  We walked to the Metropol Parasol (aka. The Seville Mushrooms) to wander around. The monument is very neat and is a large wooden structure with a great view! We didn’t have a ton of time to explore as we were at the Metropol Parsol to meet our guide for the food and drink tour. Our tour guide was Mario and we were a group of 10 or so people on this tour. Mario was amazing and explained some of the history of Seville along with why we were going to each of the stops. Our first stop was a local place called Bodega Los Sportales which was definitely a local’s stop and was located in square that was very important during the Roman Times. Mario gave us a lot of historical information about the area being predominantly muslin for quite some time with some areas that housed Jewish people until 1248 when Christians took over the area. Of course, he went into more detail but I am not a history major and don’t want to mess up any of the important facts.  At Los Sportales, we enjoyed their special drink (sangria meet juice) along with roasted pork belly (chicharrone di calles) and delicious Monteneto sandwiches (filled beef, chicken and cheese)

We next walked over to Casa Manolo, an 80 year old restaurant owned by a lovely Arabic man named Al.  The restaurant almost closed due to Covid but the neighbourhood rallied around them to support them and keep them open. Their tapa is the best in the city as per Mario (and I almost agree!). Mario taught us about Sherry wines (which I didn’t know where a thing). I always thought sherry was a type liquor. Our food at this stop was fried fish and dried/smoked tuna with an almond on top of it which was delicious and probably one of my favourite things. He told us to try the sherry before eating the tuna and then again after and it truly cut the bitterness and awful taste of the sherry. We also had adobo cod and deep friend cuttle fish. Mario let us know that in Spain, you cannot refry olive oil which is such an important and interesting fact. If you think of typical chains or anything fried, typically the oil that is used is re used multiple times (despite it not being olive oil) which can be harmful. Some of the group members asked if we would be eating paella since “everyone that goes to spain has paella”. Mario let us know that the Valencia region (near Madrid and on the coast) is the home of paella and that his only suggestion for good paella in the area would be the Trioana area of Seville since it is very fresh there. While we ate and drank, Mario also gave us a break down of a typical Spanish day as it often is planned around meals- breakfast at 0800, small breakfast at 1200 then lunch between 1500 and 1700. Marienda (or churros) are had between 1830 and 1930 before having dinner between 0930 and midnight. This is why so many Spanish individuals have siestas in the middle of the day! Of course, children typically eat a bit earlier but not very much as that is not the culture of the area.

Our 3rd stop (which is just about where Mike had to tap out because of his stomach being upset). Was called Aj and Agua taberna. This place was very small but super cute. We had 3 small bites including goat cheese and red pepper jam along with small sardines (which were actually delish and a first for me!) and a chorizo with chipotle sauce. This restaurant was known more for their wines. Mario taught us about the Rioha and Ribera types of wines. Basically one is more smooth (Rioha) and Riberas are more intense and concentrated with more tannis). I enjoyed the red Rioha wine and it was quite delicious.

As we walked to our final stop (and dropped Mike off at the hotel), Mario taught us more about the city. One of the most interesting things I learned is that Seville has the most orange trees in the world but that the ones in the city are very polluted. They bloom twice per year and it is illegal to take the oranges off of the trees (Since there are polluted). He explained that gypsy will often make marmalade from the oranges and try to see it to tourists. Word to the wise- don’t buy it. Mario gave us more of a history less on the Seville Cathedral that is one of the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world.

He said it was the 3rd largest Cathedral in the world (Behind The Vatican and St. Paul in London). The Cathedral used to be a mosque until the Christians took over and made it into the gothic cathedral seen now. They left the original bell tower (minerate) from the Mosque which you can still go up and see. It is also noted that Christopher Columbus is buried inside the Cathedral. Mario mentioned that you needed to prebook both the Cathedral and the Royal Azucar which we had not booked yet (Which was going to a be a tomorrow problem).

Our final stop was at La Decana Fundada- quite the cute hole in the wall! The restaurant was a family owned restaurant which held a special place for Mario as his mum used to own the second biggest restaurant in all of Andalusia. He firmly believes that there should always be a family member working in the kitchen as the engine. Our food here definitely looked the least appetizing but was delicious. We had Spinach and chickepeas which is a very common tapas in Seville and this places wont a contest for the frist spinach and chickpeas in the ciy twice. We finished dinner with brassed pork cheek and fries in a gravy. The meal and company was great, despite missing Mikey.

After saying our goodbyes (and being offered an escort home), I realized the restaurant was literally right around the corner from our hotel so I walked home very easily. Mike was unfortunately, not feeling great still so I made him some Pedialyte and we relaxed before watching some tv before bed.

March 15, 2024

            This was our final full day in Seville and despite Mike note feeling his best, we wanted to make the best of it. We did not prebook our Cathedral Tour but were able to find a tour guide who fit us in on the 1100 tour which was awesome. We learned so much about the beautiful Cathedral and its rich history. I won’t bore anyone with too many details but will say the gothic style of this cathedral is just magnificent. Seeing where Christopher Columbus was buried was pretty cool too (even if they think the box only has approximately 250 grams of him). The Cathedral boasts 81 stained glass areas along with over 760 paintings. The treasure room was very cool too which had relics, a tabernacle and bones of saints among other things. There is a royal chapel that you can book for weddings but it is closed to tourists. We could see the mass going on in it on the tv though which was neat.

            After the Cathedral, we went through the “Muslim Square” where we saw the 1000 ton weather van and walked up the Bell Tower to enjoy a neat view of the area. We made our way back to the Mercadoe de la Encarnacion (aka the mushrooms) to walk around. I had a sangria and some tapas (shrimp, artichoke hearts, Spanish cheese and crackers) while Mike enjoyed a coke while we people watched at Alcazares. Mike and I checked out some stores and things in the area before walking back towards our hotel to get ready for the evening.

            As we wandered around the area, we stumbled upon Café Cantunambu where I got to practice my 75 or so days of Duolingo to order coffees and churros. The churros were light and delicious and the chocolate brought to dip them in was even better. You can’t go to Spain and not have chocolate and churros (or at least that is what Mario said!)

            We had booked a Flamenco show with tapas and drinks but it got cancelled last minute. Fortunately, we were able to find another show that was starting just in time before our dinner reservations. We relaxed in our hotel room while we enjoyed the Champagne the hotel surprised us with as a honeymoon gift. I was very excited to dress up and head to the flamenco show. The show we saw was at La Milonga Tabloa and we arrived in time to enjoy an Aperol spritz. The Flamenco show was not at all what I was expecting but was great. Flamenco is an art form based on the various folkloric music and traditions of southern Spain. It was developed in the Andalusian region. The music is played on the guitar and is accompanied with singing and dancing in quite the spirited and rhythmical way. The outfits and musical prowess of the individuals was awesome.

            After the show, Mike had booked us dinner at Basque Eneko which is found in the Radisson Hotel and ison the Michelin list. For the 7 course tasting menu. It was amazing. My favourite course was some sort of caviar with a perfect egg yoke on top. It was rich, gooey and delicious. The only part of the meal that wasn’t my favourite was the sherry wine we had at the end that ended up being so sweet (in stark comparison to the sherry wine from the night before that tasted like gasoline). The service at Basque was wonderful and the live music from the piano player was amazing. He was playing many great Disney classics which I of course loved. We enjoyed a very full, leisurely walk back to our hotel before our final night’s sleep in Seville

March 16, 2024

For our last morning, we enjoyed the hotel buffet breakfast which was filled with meats, cheeses, breads and pastries. I think I ate more meat and cheese at breakfast than the whole trip combined. Since we had some time before leaving for the airport, we walked around Seville to take in the sights and sounds one more time and picked up a few souvenirs (olives, Messi gear of course etc.) .

            At 1100ish, we took a cab to the airport which was fairly seamless. We did have a bit of an issue with our paid bag not being noted. The woman at the front while helpful, did not work for the airline (Vueling) so was unable to help with anything. She did manage to put us in the emergency rows for Mikes height though. We picked up meat sandwiches for lunch on the plane. The flight was very smooth and quick (90 minutes) but then on our descent, we had to circle Barcelona which delayed our landing and also our “free airport shuttle”. I had specifically booked this hotel for the night due to its proximity to the airport and the free shuttle. We found out that the shuttle actually only ran every 45 minutes which was frustrating. We ended up spending 23 euro to make it to our hotel. We stayed at the Alexandre Hotel Front Air Congress hich was a very basic hotel. The room didn’t have free water or conditioner but for the less than $200 Canadian a night, I guess we couldn’t complain. Mike enjoyed relaxing in the room while I wandered around the hotel checking out the bar, outdoor area and gym. We had booked the hydrotherapy at the spa for 1800 which was very interesting. There were not many young people in it but that was ok. It was about $10.00 per person and we had to wear bathing caps (Which was so strange to me). The hydrotherapy area had loungers, a large hottub type pool with hydrotherapy jets, two saunas (one steam, one dry) along with an ice room, circular shower and stone Turkish loungers that heated up. It seemed like a spot for locals which seemed odd for the location of the hotel. We spent the full 90 minutes in the hydrotherapy area before showering in our room. Since we were in a different area of the city without tons of restaurants, we were going to have the hotel buffet but it seemed quite lame based on reviews. There was a mall in the same plaza as our hotel so we walked over there to check out the stores and restaurants. We ended up eating the Taglietelle which was an Italian chain my mum had suggested (weirdly enough). The meal was very subpar but the dessert was delicious. Since we had a very early morning, we headed back to our hotel room to prep for our travel day.

March 17, 2024

            We booked the free airport shuttle for 530 which was great timing. Check in at the Barcelona airport took 30 minutes and no one mentioned that there was another set of security check-ins before the gates. We rushed there and managed to get through security/passport control 10 minutes before boarding- not my idea of how to start a long travel morning that is for sure.

            We landed in Heathrow mid-morning where we had to wait in another security line before making our way to our gate. I realized I had forgotten to get my Barcelona magnet (I always get a magnet everywhere I travel) and was pretty frustrated with myself- well and the Barcelona airport haha. Our flight from Heathrow to Pearson was fairly uneventful with average plane chicken, wine and the movie Oppenheimer. We landed in Pearson around 1700 and breezed through customs before getting our bags and our car home.

            What a whirlwind week! We had the best time and learned so much! Mike and I got to spend lots of time adventuring together and realize that we were pretty good travel partners. While there were places in both Barcelona and Seville that we did not get to see, we made the most of our time in Spain. We hope to go back in warmer weather (since we spent zero time at the beach!) one day!

[shipsearch]

Floating Cities: Are Ships the Future of Sustainable Living?

The world is changing rapidly, and so are the ways we think about housing and urban life. With rising sea levels and increasing urban congestion, floating cities are becoming a hot topic. But could ships be the next frontier of sustainable living? Let’s explore how the commercial shipping industry, autonomous vessels, and maritime technology could shape the cities of tomorrow.

The Rise of Floating Cities

Imagine a world where cities are not bound by land but instead drift across the ocean. The idea of floating cities isn’t just science fiction—it’s a concept gaining traction among architects, environmentalists, and shipping magnates. With innovations in maritime technology and the proliferation of autonomous merchant ships, the possibility of sustainable, ship-based cities is becoming more realistic.

These floating metropolises could leverage the infrastructure of the commercial shipping industry, utilizing existing vessel schedules, container freight systems, and maritime logistics to create self-sustaining communities at sea. By integrating container tracking and vessel schedules into everyday life, residents could receive goods efficiently, just like ports do today.

How Shipping Technology Supports Floating Cities

The shipping industry already has the backbone for a floating society. With systems like COSCO container tracking, Maersk container tracking, and independent container line tracking, monitoring resources and supplies on these floating cities would be seamless.

Additionally, advancements in autonomous ship’s masters and smart navigation systems could make floating cities safer and more efficient. Maritime interdiction operations and maritime component commanders would play a vital role in ensuring security at sea, preventing unauthorized boarding, and enforcing laws, just as they do with modern commercial shipping.

Economic and Environmental Impact

Operating a floating city means managing container shipping rates, freight costs, and shipping freight rates efficiently. By adopting sustainable shipping practices, these cities could lower cargo shipping rates and minimize their environmental footprint.

Moreover, using green energy solutions, such as wind and solar power, and implementing ocean freight rates optimization could help keep costs low. A container shipping cost calculator could help residents and businesses determine expenses related to importing and exporting goods.

Challenges and Risks

Of course, the dream of ship-based cities isn’t without its challenges. Maritime accidents remain a significant concern, especially in unpredictable waters. The concept of hypothetical boarding—or unauthorized access to these floating cities—could lead to security issues.

Moreover, the lack of a fixed location means constant dependency on ports near me for maintenance, repairs, and trade. However, with robust logistics, such as SCAC code lists for tracking shipments and streamlined seaboard marine tracking, these floating cities could mitigate logistical hurdles.

The Future of Maritime Living

As cities continue to expand, and climate change forces us to rethink habitation, the possibility of floating cities becomes increasingly compelling. The commercial shipping industry, combined with MASS proliferation (Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships), is already paving the way for the future of maritime living.

Could ships really be the future of sustainable living? If the current trajectory of container shipping, sea freight, and maritime technology continues, the answer could be a resounding yes. Until then, keep an eye on container tracker tools and ocean freight advancements—because the future might just be floating right before our eyes.

What do you think? Would you live in a floating city? Let’s discuss!

[pinnacleedits]

How to Learn Wedding Video Editing: A Step-by-Step Guide

Wedding video editing is a highly sought-after skill, as couples seek to preserve one of the most important days of their lives. With the rise of video content, especially in the wedding industry, knowing how to edit wedding videos opens the door to a rewarding and creative career. Wedding videos require a unique approach—balancing storytelling with technical precision. Learning wedding video editing not only involves mastering editing software but also understanding the flow and emotions of the event.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to learn wedding video editing, whether you’re just starting or looking to improve your skills. We'll discuss essential techniques, tools, and resources and how searching for “photography services near me” can lead you to opportunities for hands-on experience.

Why Learn Wedding Video Editing?

Before diving into the learning process, it's essential to understand why wedding video editing is such a valuable skill:

Emotional Storytelling: Wedding videos are filled with love, joy, and special moments. As an editor, you get to create a visual story that couples will cherish forever.

High Demand: Wedding videography has grown in popularity, creating a significant demand for skilled editors who can turn raw footage into beautiful films.

Creative Freedom: Every wedding is different, giving you the opportunity to express your creativity through editing styles, music selection, and visual effects.

Lucrative Opportunities: Wedding video editing can be a profitable career or side gig, especially with the increasing number of freelance opportunities available in the UK and beyond.

Whether you're pursuing this as a profession or as a hobby, learning wedding video editing can offer immense satisfaction and career growth.

Step 1: Understand the Basics of Video Editing

Before jumping into wedding-specific video editing, it’s crucial to grasp the fundamentals of video editing. These skills will form the foundation of your wedding editing expertise.

a. Learn Editing Software

Mastering video editing software is your first step. You’ll need to be comfortable navigating the tools and features that allow you to cut, splice, and arrange video clips. Some popular editing software includes:

Adobe Premiere Pro: Known for its versatility and industry-standard features.

Final Cut Pro: A favorite among Mac users, this software is known for its speed and user-friendly interface.

DaVinci Resolve: Excellent for color grading and high-quality wedding videos.

iMovie: For beginners, this is a simpler tool but limited in features compared to professional software.

Take online tutorials or courses to familiarize yourself with one of these platforms, as wedding video editing will rely heavily on these tools.

b. Learn Basic Editing Techniques

Start by learning how to:

Cut and Trim Footage: Remove unnecessary parts and create a smooth sequence of events.

Sync Audio and Video: Ensure speeches, vows, and music align perfectly with the video footage.

Apply Transitions: Smooth transitions between shots can make the video feel seamless and professional.

Color Correction: Weddings often take place in various lighting conditions. Learning how to correct colors will ensure your videos look polished and consistent.

Export Settings: Learn how to export videos in high quality for delivery to clients.

Understanding these basics will give you a strong foundation to build your wedding video editing skills.

Step 2: Study Wedding Video Styles

Some prefer cinematic storytelling, while others may want a documentary-style video. By familiarizing yourself with different wedding video styles, you can cater to your clients' preferences.

a. Cinematic Wedding Videos

This style focuses on creating a movie-like experience. It often includes:

Dramatic shots

Slow-motion sequences

Emotional music

High-quality color grading

Cinematic videos are highly edited and aim to capture the beauty of the wedding in an artistic way. The editor's job is to craft a romantic, emotional story through visuals and sound.

b. Documentary-Style Wedding Videos

This style focuses on telling the story of the wedding day in chronological order, often with minimal editing. The goal is to capture the day as it unfolds naturally. Documentary wedding videos often include:

Interviews with the couple, friends, and family

Natural sound from the wedding day (vows, speeches)

Minimal effects or transitions

Studying these styles will help you determine the right editing techniques and tools for each type of video.

Step 3: Find Inspiration and Analyze Other Wedding Videos

Before editing, it’s helpful to find inspiration by watching wedding videos from experienced professionals. YouTube, Vimeo, and wedding videography websites are great places to find examples of high-quality wedding videos. Pay attention to how:

Storytelling: The video flows, from the preparation to the ceremony and reception.

Music: Sets the tone and enhances the emotional impact of the video.

Transitions: Create a smooth flow from one moment to another without feeling jarring.

Color and Lighting: Enhance the beauty of the wedding, especially in outdoor or dimly lit venues.

Analyze what works well and think about how you can incorporate those elements into your own projects.

Step 4: Practice with Sample Footage

The best way to learn wedding video editing is by practicing with real footage. If you don’t have access to wedding footage, you can use public domain videos or reach out to local photographers and videographers who may need an editor. Searching for “photography services near me” can help you find professionals in your area who might be willing to collaborate or provide you with raw footage to practice.

Step 5: Learn How to Edit for Emotion

One of the most important aspects of wedding video editing is capturing emotion. You’re not just cutting clips—you’re telling a love story. Here are some techniques to enhance the emotional impact of your edits:

a. Use Music to Set the Mood

Music is a key element in wedding videos. Choose songs that match the mood of the day, whether it’s the joyous first kiss or the emotional exchange of vows. You’ll need to master the skill of syncing music with the footage to create a seamless and impactful viewing experience.

b. Include Key Moments

The first look, vows, speeches, first dance, and other key moments should be the highlights of the video. These moments evoke emotion, and your job as the editor is to make them stand out. Use slow motion, close-ups, and the right music to emphasize these moments.

c. Apply Subtle Effects

Avoid overusing effects, but subtle touches like slow motion, black and white filters, or soft fades can elevate the emotional tone of the video.

Step 6: Invest in Advanced Editing Skills

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, it’s time to dive deeper into advanced video editing techniques that will make your wedding videos stand out.

a. Color Grading

Weddings are shot in various lighting conditions, and color grading is essential for achieving a consistent look throughout the video. Invest time in learning how to color grade, especially for outdoor weddings, which often require color adjustments to balance harsh lighting.

b. Multi-Camera Editing

Many wedding videographers shoot with multiple cameras to capture different angles. Learning how to edit multi-camera footage will allow you to create dynamic, professional-looking videos. This technique is especially useful during ceremonies and receptions where multiple angles add depth and perspective.

c. Advanced Sound Editing

Wedding videos often include speeches, vows, and background music. Learning how to mix and balance sound correctly ensures that dialogue is clear and music complements the visuals without overpowering them.

Step 7: Build a Portfolio

 A well-organized portfolio will help you attract clients and establish yourself as a professional wedding video editor.

a. Create Sample Edits

If you don’t have client work yet, create sample wedding videos using public domain footage or by offering your services for free to friends or local businesses. This will help you build your editing skills and demonstrate your abilities to potential clients.

b. Highlight Key Skills

Your portfolio should showcase your editing style, attention to detail, and ability to create emotionally compelling stories. Include a variety of projects to show versatility, such as different types of weddings (beach, outdoor, church) and editing styles (cinematic, documentary).

c. Use “Photography Services Near Me” to Network Locally

By connecting with local photographers and videographers, you can find more opportunities to practice your skills and grow your portfolio. Searching for “photography services near me” will give you access to professionals who may need a video editor or are willing to collaborate on projects.

Step 8: Continue Learning and Improving

a. Take Advanced Courses

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, consider taking advanced courses in color grading, audio mixing, or multi-cam editing. Platforms like Skillshare, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer in-depth tutorials for professionals looking to take their skills to the next level.

b. Attend Workshops or Film Festivals

Workshops and film festivals are great places to network with other professionals, learn new techniques, and get inspired by other filmmakers. The UK hosts many film events and workshops that focus on wedding videography and editing.

Conclusion: Your Journey to Mastering Wedding Video Editing

Learning how to edit wedding videos requires patience, creativity, and a commitment to continuous improvement. By mastering the basics, practicing with real footage, and developing your own unique style, you can become a sought-after wedding video editor in no time.

Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your skills, this guide provides a roadmap to success in wedding video editing. Remember, the key to becoming a great wedding video editor is combining technical skills with a deep understanding of storytelling and emotion.

[steelrecyclingmelbourne]

Unwanted Car Removal: Your Guide to Free and Easy Scrap Metal Recycling

Recycling scrap metal is a morally and environmentally responsible process that involves gathering, processing, and discarding abandoned metal items. When an old automobile that is damaged there is need for unwanted car removal, and people usually look for a metal scrap yard. Since many old cars include metal and other elements that may be reused, scrap metal traders provide free car removals. By cutting waste and safeguarding priceless resources, scrap metal recyclers help people choose sustainability in a world that is always changing.

The best course of action is to look for free scrap metal removal near me and this way, one can get rid of a wrecked automobile without having to pay for it because the task is done by experts. Reputable scrap metal dealers handle all the details and oversee the entire procedure, making car removal hassle-free and they may even remove trucks. It doesn't even need to be lifted to its destination—the professionals handle the truck or car's transportation. The top metal recyclers will remove trucks of all kinds for free, including loaders, trailers, forklifts, and others.

Analyse the Metals that Metal Recyclers Generally Purchase:

Copper: This metal is highly promising since it can be recycled to lessen the impact on the environment and the need to mine fresh copper ore. Among the goods made of copper that are purchased, traded, and exported are domestic copper, pyro, and insulated vehicle looms.

Brass: Buying and selling a range of brass items, including pipes, valves, fittings, and fixtures, is an important part of recycling waste metal. Reputable recyclers are quite experienced in handling brass and brass is found in many different machine parts. Brass is an environmentally friendly material for many applications because it is recyclable, which lowers the need for virgin resources and saves energy. There are several sources of brass available, including mixed borings, ironic brass, swarf, and clean brass.

Anybody may make money and contribute to environmental preservation by selling scrap metal that remains after any type of activity, whether it be in a company, industrial, or residential context. Ask reputable scrap metal recyclers for a quotation and sell different metals.  

Source: https://metalscrapyardnearme.blogspot.com/2024/09/unwanted-car-removal-your-guide-to-free.html

[tipscomputercourses]

Computer Courses (Microsoft Powerpoint)

Microsoft PowerPoint: A Comprehensive Overview

Microsoft PowerPoint:

Introduction

Microsoft PowerPoint is a prominent presentation software application, widely utilized for crafting and delivering visually compelling presentations. As an integral component of the Microsoft Office suite, it has become a staple in both professional and educational spheres. Computer Classes near me

Key Features and Functionality PowerPoint presentations are typically composed of a sequence of slides that can encompass diverse multimedia elements such as text, images, graphs, charts, videos, and more. The software offers a rich array of tools and features to augment presentations.

Design and Customization PowerPoint provides users with a multitude of templates and themes to ensure uniformity and visual appeal in their slides. Customization options extend to slide layouts, animations, transitions, and the inclusion of speaker notes, enhancing the overall aesthetics and utility of the presentation.

Integration and Compatibility Seamless integration with other Microsoft Office applications facilitates the effortless importation of content from Microsoft Word and Excel. This synergy enhances efficiency and content coherence across documents.

Collaboration and Cloud Compatibility PowerPoint supports real-time co-authoring, permitting multiple users to collaboratively edit a presentation simultaneously. Moreover, integration with cloud storage services such as OneDrive ensures accessibility and synchronization of presentations across various devices.

Delivery Formats Presentations can be delivered in diverse formats, including traditional in-person sessions, online webinars, and self-running slideshows. The Presenter View feature empowers presenters by displaying the current slide, speaker notes, and upcoming slides, while the audience views the slideshow. Export options to PDF or video formats broaden the avenues for sharing and distribution.

Evolution and Advancements Over time, PowerPoint has evolved with regular updates, introducing features like morph transitions for seamless object animations, real-time subtitles for enhanced accessibility, and AI-driven design suggestions. These innovations continually enhance its capabilities.

Criticisms and Best Practices While PowerPoint is a valuable tool, critics caution against overreliance on visual aids, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and engaging content in presentations. Balancing technology with effective communication remains paramount.

In summary, Microsoft PowerPoint computer courses remains an indispensable tool for crafting captivating and effective presentations, catering to diverse needs in professional, educational, and creative contexts. Its comprehensive feature set empowers users to convey their ideas with impact and clarity.

[mariacallous]

At a meeting of European leaders days after Donald Trump’s reelection last November, French President Emmanuel Macron admonished the continent to toughen up in the face of a more Hobbesian international environment: “We tend to think we should delegate our geopolitics to the United States, our growth model to our Chinese clients, and our technological innovation to American hyperscalers. For me, it’s simple. The world is made up of herbivores and carnivores. If we decide to remain herbivores, then the carnivores will win, and we will be a market for them.”

The moment made for compelling TV, but it also underscored the complications that will bedevil Europe as it confronts a more assertive United States under Trump. Macron is just one voice of a divided continent; he is also in a profoundly weakened position at home, given a populist surge that has roiled European politics. And his comments pointed to Europe’s own economic drift and sluggish growth, exacerbated by the energy shock caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and an ongoing slowdown in China, the European Union’s third-largest export market after the United States and United Kingdom. It all makes striking a more independent European path quite a tall order.

The fate of Europe represents perhaps the most intriguing geopolitical story to watch over the course of Trump’s second term. That’s because the stakes are so high: Europe’s choices in response to Trump’s transactionalism may set the long-run trajectory for both Europe’s own potential and the health of the trans-Atlantic alliance, the cornerstone of the geopolitical West.

Washington will inevitably shake these foundations over the next four years. Expect threats of steep tariffs, a strategy of dividing the continent by picking favorites, and a questioning of the U.S. commitment not only to Ukraine but to Europe’s security as a whole. And that’s not to mention all of the other irritants in store: from supportive comments by Trump and his allies toward the European far right (take Elon Musk’s boosting of the ultra-right Alternative for Germany as a harbinger) to deprioritizing climate change.

Europe will not sit idly by. Brussels is prepared  both to placate and negotiate—and eventually retaliate hard should things turn for the worst. Depending on how much the White House cranks up the pressure, Europe is likely to embark on one of three overall paths in response to a more carnivorous Washington: conciliation and closer alignment with the United States; division and paralysis; or strategic autonomy and a push to bolster its own competitiveness, geopolitical and military toolkit, and independence.

The first path might seem optimal from Washington’s vantage and may prove the least economically disruptive if in the near run Europe successfully keeps its head below the parapet and dodges Trump tariffs. (Analysts estimate a 10 percent U.S. tariff could cost up to 1 percent of EU GDP growth.) But in the long run, greater strategic autonomy may be the best outcome for Europe, the United States, and the world. A more prosperous and competent Europe, even if more assertive of its own priorities, would strengthen the West, given the fundamental convergence of interests and bonds across the Atlantic.

During Trump’s first term, many in Europe viewed him as a temporary aberration, and the continent emerged rattled but generally unscathed. The EU successfully headed off Washington’s most damaging tariffs, including plans for U.S. duties on the all-important auto sector, and while Trump made a lot of noise about pulling out of NATO, he ultimately stayed put and even got NATO countries to increase defense spending by 0.27 percent of GDP on average among member states by the end of his first term.

But there’s strong reason to believe that Trump 2.0 will be different. He has appointed more loyalists and has an even more ambitious America First agenda. Start with trade: His promises of a 10 percent universal tariff and 60 percent tariff on China are of a next-level magnitude than Trump 1.0; during Trump’s first term, Washington ended up raising the average U.S. effective tariff rate from 1.5 percent to only around 3 percent. The United States has its second-largest bilateral trade deficit—after China—with the EU at more than $200 billion, which puts the continent immediately in Trump’s crosshairs as his trade policy gets underway. The president has also pointed to a lack of trade reciprocity with Europe, such as in autos, where the EU tariff on U.S. imports is 10 percent while the U.S. tariff is 2.5 percent. In a recent interview, he called Europe a “double whammy”: ripping off the United States on trade while relying on it for defense. And just this week, Trump complained about the size of the U.S. trade deficit with the EU and referred to Europe as “very, very bad to us” on trade.

There are low-hanging fruit where Washington might take early action: reinstate steel and aluminum tariffs on Europe that were paused by former President Joe Biden, as well as Trump’s 2019 tariffs on $7.5 billion in European consumer goods as part of the arcane Boeing-Airbus dispute. Trump is more likely this time around to announce duties on European autos. And he has already threatened tariffs if Europe doesn’t buy more U.S. liquefied natural gas and oil. Almost immediately upon resuming office Trump signed an “America First Trade Policy” executive order that initiated a sweeping set of investigations across global trading partners due by April 1, signaling that essentially nothing is off the table.

On defense, the White House will make the same demand as last time: Europe needs to cough up more. Trump is pushing for a spending target of 5 percent of GDP, rather than the previous 2 percent target (which more than 70 percent of NATO countries have now met). But under Trump 2.0, there is a new, more potent twist: his demand that Europe take on more of the burden for Ukraine, particularly military aid. On China, the White House will pressure Europe to up its game on restricting trade, technology, and investment flows with Beijing.

How will Europe respond? It’s clear that there are some initial measures, and principles, in the works. Europe will want to stay unified and negotiate at the EU level. If Washington institutes tariffs on strategic industries such as autos, expect a rapid counterpunch of duties on politically sensitive U.S. goods. But the EU is also prepared to offer some carrots on defense, energy, and trade.

Europe is also in a much different place than it was in 2016. Europe’s default industrial strategy of using cheap Russian gas and exporting to China has broken down. And, as covered in painful detail in last September’s EU competitiveness report from former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi, inadequate private and public investment, a lack of market and financial integration, and burdensome regulation have sapped productivity growth and ceded competitive advantages to the United States and China, which have been racing ahead over the past eight years. The United States’ $28 trillion GDP is now $9 trillion bigger than the EU’s, up from near parity with Europe in 2011.

Much will depend on Trump’s initial moves. But, in general, Europe’s reaction will likely tilt in one of three directions, with far-reaching consequences for the geopolitical environment.

A negotiated solution is sure to be one of the EU’s opening gambits. The European Commission’s “Trump task force” is already preparing a conciliation package that is likely to include greater China alignment, for example on export controls and investment restrictions, more purchases of U.S. LNG, and perhaps concessions on the steel and aluminum tariff dispute and carveouts of U.S. imports from Europe’s upcoming Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Pledges to increase defense spending, including on weapons for Ukraine, are likely. Most NATO members already think defense spending of at least 3 percent of GDP is necessary.

In this accommodation scenario, Trump is assuaged, his attention is focused elsewhere, and while Europe may see targeted tariffs, broader and more economically disruptive duties are kept at bay. A workable relationship on aid to Ukraine is also maintained. The United States would remain, albeit reluctantly, a part of European security architecture. If Washington goes after China on trade instead, the EU may even experience trade diversion benefits as European exports become more attractive to U.S. consumers.

The catch is that accommodating Trump will be impossible without closer ideological convergence. EU priorities on climate and technology—including enforcement of the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act against U.S. Big Tech companies and social media platforms such as Elon Musk’s X—would need to take a back seat to avoid irritants. Trump’s ideological preferences will push right-wing leaders into the spotlight. The EU’s key interlocutors in this scenario—from Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Poland’s Andrzej Duda to Hungary’s Viktor Orban—will lend the union a distinctly Trumpian flavor.

The result would be a European continent more closely bound to the United States politically, economically, and ideologically. In other words, a Europe forged in Trump’s image. EU growth would muddle along in the 1-2 percent range as Washington stops short of accelerating economic headwinds with the most damaging tariffs but structural reforms to improve Europe’s market integration and competitiveness are deferred. A strong trans-Atlantic alliance, albeit a changed one.

An alternative scenario of European division and paralysis would see strong pushback in some quarters to Washington’s bullying and an assertion of Europe’s economic, technology, and trade priorities by the commission and influential member states such as France and Germany, alongside deference and even ideological alignment from other countries. Amid a cacophony of competing voices, EU member states would look inward and focus on protecting their own interests, peeling off from joint EU approaches and reverting instead to bilateral dealings with the United States. Duda, Meloni, and Orban would enjoy stronger channels of communication to Washington—and may even get carveouts from trade actions. Reports of Italy’s $1.6 billion negotiation with Musk’s SpaceX as Meloni appeared at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort are unlikely to be the last of their kind.

Trump himself will be in his element. Washington will prefer to deal bilaterally with EU members states to maximize leverage. The net result would be paralysis at the EU level, as emboldened right-wing leaders and internal squabbling repeatedly thwart unified EU action, including on competitiveness reforms, aid to Ukraine, and Russia sanctions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin would benefit from this fragmenting. Western disunity has long been a strategic objective, and he may even test the extent of U.S. indifference to Europe through bolder active measures in Europe or adventurism in the Balkans and Baltics. Beijing would also benefit, as it seeks out bilateral economic deals with friendly member states and as EU action on anti-dumping measures and reducing dependencies on China falls by the wayside. Strategically adrift, Europe will become a less consequential global player, and countries targeted by Trump’s tariffs will face further economic struggles.

The final option is that Europe, pushed into a corner, undertakes strategic autonomy shock therapy. That Europe is “made in crisis” is an oft-repeated trope, but it holds historical weight. It held true during the COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. And it could hold true again. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in particular, has repeatedly demonstrated the creativity, and opportunism, to leverage crisis-driven consensus to move European integration forward.

An empowered commission would have the political momentum to execute reforms that adapt the EU’s economic model for the 21st century. The commission could reform rules to promote European champions that compete with U.S. and Chinese giants and allow a regulatory pause to stem the flow of European unicorns relocating abroad. Tighter financial market integration through harmonizing regulation and supervision would improve access to capital for European firms by mobilizing savings and investment, including Europe’s $35 trillion in household savings. Von der Leyen has begun this process already, announcing during an address at Davos this week that the EU will establish a European Savings and Investment Union to better mobilize capital for European businesses, She also launched the creation of a unified set of corporate rules, named the “28th regime,” for companies to opt into, rather than adapting to 27 different national frameworks.

Defense would be a cornerstone of strategic autonomy. Setting up a centralized procurement agency within the European Defence Agency and establishing a “Buy European” principle for defense platforms would initiate the process of better integration of the EU’s security. Joint borrowing could help catalyze the more than $880 billion in annual public and private investment recommended by Draghi in areas such as defense and technology. And the EU could build out an upgraded economic security toolkit of joint export control and investment screening authorities.

The Franco-German engine may soon come roaring back to life, too. Trump’s election has given credence to many of Macron’s arguments for strategic autonomy, and Christian Democratic Union leader Friedrich Merz—the favorite in Germany’s February elections—strongly disavows his predecessor Angela Merkel’s approach to Russia and plans to be a force in his own right. New leadership in Berlin may also change much-debated debt brake provisions, creating fiscal flexibility to increase spending on defense, decarbonization, and advanced technology.

On China, the EU may take its own strategic path. The EU could, as previewed in the Draghi report, leverage an upgraded economic statecraft toolkit to prevent Chinese dumping and reduce dependencies in technology and pharmaceuticals while prioritizing green objectives such as solar panels, continuing to buy cheaper Chinese goods, and allowing investment opportunities that create jobs in Europe.

It is worth noting that this scenario is also a risky one. A more united and assertive Europe is more likely to cross swords with Trump, potentially leading to higher duties in the near term that would sap growth. Washington’s tariff wall against China would simultaneously exacerbate these challenges by producing a flood of cheap Chinese goods into European markets. And any questioning of U.S. military support before the Europeans have a chance to build up their own defense capabilities could leave Europe vulnerable while emboldening Moscow.

But while disruptive in the short term, Europe’s opportunity to strike out on its own would be a bet on a stronger economic and security foundation in the long term. Arguably, one that benefits the United States, no matter who is in the White House, given long-standing structural alignment between both sides of the Atlantic.

None of these paths are predetermined, and they are, to a degree, simplified. In the months ahead, we will see all three versions of Europe’s future competing and sometimes happening simultaneously. However, over time, one will likely win out. At a moment of economic vulnerability and brewing populist dissatisfaction, the choices Europe makes now will be critical: Four more years of political and economic drift may lead the continent into geopolitical irrelevance.

At stake, first and foremost, is Europe’s own prosperity and potential. With further economic reform, market integration, and investment, Europe has the potential to bend its anemic growth and productivity trajectory upward. With meaningful defense integration and a more capable economic statecraft toolkit, the EU has real potential to be a major geopolitical actor.

Also at stake is the vigor of the trans-Atlantic alliance, which is essential in a more contested and fractured world. Military and political alignment between the United States and Europe is mission critical to thwarting a revanchist Russia. Acting together rather than in parallel, Washington and Brussels have much more heft to address climate change and shore up economic vulnerabilities. Trans-Atlantic coordination also amplifies Western economic statecraft—whether in sanctions, export controls, or industrial policy—and is therefore potentially decisive in competition with China for the commanding heights of the 21st-century economy. In material terms: The United States (27 percent) and EU (17 percent) combined represent about 45 percent of global GDP, while China represents about 15 percent. But on their own, they are on more equal footing.

Counterintuitively, a stronger but more independent Europe may be the best way to fortify this alliance. Washington can’t have it both ways: A more capable Europe will inevitably assert its own priorities, while a more deferential one is likely to be less capable at home and on the world stage. Fundamental convergence of interests in addressing Russian aggression, Chinese competition, and global challenges will hold together the Western bloc, which will benefit in the long run from a willful and prosperous partner in Europe. And as former U.S. Secretary of State Dean Acheson once put it, “Without developing a common will, Europe will warrant Napoleon’s description of Italy, a geographical expression.”

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[neutral-divinity]

I think there's a very minute chance of it's authenticity if you bear with me.

2nd century would be Rome at it's maximal extent and I think people don't give enough credit to the amount of osmosis that existed between the Near and Far East at this time.

I know there is the notion of the Silk Road allowing Rome and China to have had chance interactions and trade by proxy or even directly during this period.

Another route that I think deserves it's credit is the (Red Sea->Gulf of Aden->Arabian Sea) the Ptolemies made investments into the peninsular port of Berenice Troglodytica in their time (both for gemstone mining and far flung trade imports) to reach out into this area.

After Egypt was subsumed by Octavian and the Roman Empire was established they continued investments and use, even later elevating Berenice to having it's own prefect signifying it's import/scale of development to them.

You also have the Arab nomads and traders (Sabaeans/Himyar/Hadramaut) and the mirrored East African kingdoms/city states (Aksum/Opone/Mosylon) all making forays into the Greco influenced former satraps of Alexander along the Iranian and Indian coasts and even to Sri Lanka.

I don't have personal study or evidence of Austronesian trade at this time, but I imagine even well before the Majapahit Empires time the Strait of Malacca and the greater Indonesian Archipelago were a hotbed of maritime trade.

Chain this together with the Polynesian expansion who (it is debated) may have reached the Galápagos Islands and Juan Fernández Islands or in a reverse linking may have had some trade links with Chumash expeditions off of the Californian coast and a very tangential avenue for linkage between the Old and New World exists.

Maybe a living Macaw or two exported or some minor depiction of one? Could have arrived in Japan/Korea/China and made it's way along the land route or through the great chain of maritime trade I elaborated? All very speculative, but recent archaeological finds are hinting at a much more inter-connected Old World.

Much more likely to be a fraud as suspicion implies, but reality is bizarre, granular, and coincidental and I get too much fun out of speculating on crazy little niches in history.

(https://pcma.uw.edu.pl/en/2019/04/17/berenike-2/) - Berenike Project excavating the site where they've found oils, spices, and other materials from India including a statue of a Buddha

(https://web.archive.org/web/20170204143633/http://legacy.fordham.edu/Halsall/ancient/periplus.asp) - The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, translation of a travelogue by a trader in these areas in the 1st century

(https://heritageofjapan.wordpress.com/2016/10/01/how-did-3rd-4th-c-roman-coins-end-up-in-the-12th15th-c-katsuren-castle-on-okinawa/) - Of course the Roman coins found back in 2016 that made waves of speculation. Although as has been acknowledged they could have been floating around in coffers from anywhere, or most likely the Ottomans who made great use of the same area for trade and then some.

uhmmm losing my mind a bit, why is there a macaw (new world parrot!) depicted on a supposed roman (2nd century) mosaic sold through christie's in 2003? Am I blind? Are there in fact old world parrots that look more like macaws than I am aware of? No, right? Did I spot a decades old antiques fraud through just...looking for depictions of birds in the ancient world? I don't think the Romans had macaws and that very much looks like a macaw...

"A ROMAN MARBLE MOSAIC PANEL Circa 2nd Century A.D. Composed of minute tesserae in multiple shades of red, green, black, gray and tan on a cream ground, the rectangular panel centered by an elegant water-filled krater with a trumpet-shaped foot, wide flaring mouth and vertical voluted handles, a parrot and a greenfinch perched on either side of the rim, the greenfinch dipping to take a drink, its tail uplifted, a chaffinch on the upper left pecking at a floral, a large partridge below, its wing unfolded, facing right and pecking at foliage, and a pileated woodpecker bottom right, facing left, with additional foliage in the field."