#Shell Fuel Rewards

[easyplatform1989]

16 Real-World Customer Loyalty Program Examples That Drive Results

Loyalty programs have evolved far beyond the simple punch cards of the past. Today, businesses harness technology and behavioral psychology to create meaningful, profitable relationships with their customers. From global giants to niche platforms, the following examples illustrate how loyalty can translate into long-term business success.

Starbucks Rewards: A Pioneer in Personalized Loyalty

Starbucks has crafted one of the most iconic loyalty ecosystems with its Starbucks Rewards program. By integrating mobile payments, personalized offers, and a tiered structure, customers earn Stars for purchases, which they can exchange for drinks, food, or upgrades. The brand's app deepens engagement by tailoring recommendations, tracking preferences, and offering limited-time challenges. Starbucks’ ability to merge digital convenience with real-world perks makes its program a benchmark in the industry.

Website: https://www.starbucks.com/rewards

ACHIVX: Gamifying Loyalty With a Digital Edge

ACHIVX distinguishes itself by fusing gamification mechanics with business-driven loyalty infrastructure. Designed for brands seeking to build emotionally resonant connections, ACHIVX uses challenges, achievements, and progress tracking to keep customers engaged. Brands can launch missions, assign points, and offer real-world incentives — all within a visually immersive environment. This platform is ideal for modern companies aiming to make loyalty both measurable and interactive.

Website: https://achivx.com

Sephora Beauty Insider: Tiered Rewards for Beauty Devotees

Sephora’s Beauty Insider program is renowned for its multilayered structure, offering increasing perks as customers spend more. Whether you’re a basic Insider or a top-tier Rouge member, the program offers exclusive events, early access to launches, and free products through a points-based catalog. Personalization also plays a role, as members receive birthday gifts and curated product suggestions. Sephora’s strategy creates an aspirational experience rooted in customer loyalty.

Website: https://www.sephora.com/beauty/beauty-insider

Nike Membership: A Lifestyle-Driven Experience

Nike’s loyalty program is more than just a discount mechanism; it’s a gateway into the brand’s universe. Members get access to exclusive product drops, workout plans, training videos, and invitations to live events. It integrates seamlessly with Nike's suite of mobile apps, allowing personalized health tracking, performance tips, and content delivery. By aligning its loyalty model with the values of wellness and athleticism, Nike retains its customers holistically.

Website: https://www.nike.com/membership

The North Face XPLR Pass: Adventure Has Its Rewards

Outdoor gear company The North Face offers XPLR Pass, a loyalty initiative that speaks to adventure enthusiasts. Members earn points not only through purchases but also through brand engagement like attending events or checking in at national parks. Rewards range from discounts to early product access and surprise gifts. This engagement model fosters a sense of belonging among consumers who associate the brand with exploration and discovery.

Website: https://www.thenorthface.com/xplrpass.html

DSW VIP: Shoe Shopping With Strategic Perks

Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW) builds its loyalty approach around fashion lovers who want more than just points. Its DSW VIP program offers members free shipping, birthday gifts, accelerated rewards for higher tiers, and even charitable donations in their name. With transparency and value packed into every interaction, DSW has cultivated an audience that sees loyalty as more than just transactional.

Website: https://www.dsw.com/en/us/content/loyalty

Ulta Beauty Ultamate Rewards: Points With Flexibility

Ulta’s loyalty program enables members to earn points on every dollar spent — but what makes Ultamate Rewards stand out is redemption flexibility. Points can be used on nearly any product, and they don't expire for Platinum and Diamond members. With robust partnerships, birthday perks, and surprise bonuses, Ulta turns casual shoppers into brand loyalists.

Website: https://www.ulta.com/ulta/guestservices/loyalty.jsp

Amazon Prime: A Premium Loyalty Subscription

Amazon Prime isn’t a traditional loyalty program — it’s a paid membership that builds unparalleled customer stickiness. Subscribers enjoy fast shipping, access to Prime Video, special deals, and even discounts at Whole Foods. The perceived value exceeds the subscription fee, which fuels retention and brand advocacy. Amazon has set a global precedent for value-driven loyalty ecosystems.

Website: https://www.amazon.com/amazonprime

PetSmart Treats: Caring for Pets and Their Owners

PetSmart Treats offers rewards tailored to pet owners who want to care for their animals while saving. The program gives points per dollar spent, exclusive offers, and birthday gifts for pets. Members can also donate points to charities supporting animal welfare. This emotional connection goes beyond commerce, strengthening the bond between customer and brand.

Website: https://www.petsmart.com/treats-loyalty-program/

Chipotle Rewards: Customization Meets Convenience

Chipotle’s loyalty program is simple yet addictive. Members earn 10 points per dollar and unlock free entrées after accumulating enough. The brand incorporates gamified extras like “extra point days” and “streak bonuses.” Through mobile ordering, personalized promotions, and sustainability messaging, Chipotle builds loyalty while emphasizing transparency in ingredients.

Website: https://www.chipotle.com/rewards

Walgreens myWalgreens: Health Meets Loyalty

Walgreens reimagined its loyalty platform with myWalgreens, focusing on health goals, eco-initiatives, and speed. Members earn points for purchases and healthy behaviors, such as getting a vaccine or walking. With real-time prescription tracking and same-day delivery, the platform blends well-being with rewards, elevating it beyond retail into holistic lifestyle engagement.

Website: https://www.walgreens.com/topic/promotion/mywalgreens.jsp

REI Co-op Membership: Equity-Fueled Loyalty

REI’s approach is unique: instead of a points-based model, customers pay a lifetime membership fee to join the REI Co-op. In return, they receive dividends based on annual purchases, exclusive event access, and member-only gear. The co-op structure fosters community participation, sustainability, and long-term brand alignment with outdoor enthusiasts.

Website: https://www.rei.com/membership/benefits

IKEA Family: Comfort Through Cost-Saving Connections

IKEA Family offers more than just discounts — it provides design inspiration, special store prices, and early product access. The program is free and rewards both online and offline engagement. From free coffee at the café to interior design workshops, IKEA positions its loyalty platform as a warm, community-oriented initiative.

Website: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/ikea-family/

Panera Bread MyPanera: Recognition Through Relationship

Panera Bread’s MyPanera loyalty system avoids points altogether. Instead, it’s based on frequency and behavior, offering surprise rewards, birthday treats, and free menu items. By eliminating the pressure of tracking points, Panera creates a relaxed yet rewarding relationship with its customer base, focusing on delightful experiences instead of rigid thresholds.

Website: https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/mypanera.html

Shell Fuel Rewards: Pumping Up Practical Savings

Shell’s Fuel Rewards program partners with retailers, restaurants, and credit cards to let customers save on gas. Members earn cents-off-per-gallon with everyday purchases, combining practical utility with broad appeal. The program’s tier system unlocks greater savings the more one engages, turning a necessary routine into a financially rewarding habit.

Website: https://www.fuelrewards.com/

H&M Member: Fashion Loyalty With Environmental Awareness

H&M’s membership program offers discounts, free shipping, early access to sales, and even points for recycling old clothes. Members also earn points through purchases and reviews, which can be redeemed for future discounts. The integration of sustainability within the rewards structure showcases how brands can fuse purpose with perks.

Website: https://www2.hm.com/en_us/member/info.html

Final Thoughts: Designing Loyalty That Resonates

As these 16 real-world examples demonstrate, the most effective loyalty programs do far more than reward purchases. They create immersive experiences, empower users with personalization, integrate with digital lifestyles, and in some cases, reflect deeper brand values such as sustainability or wellness. Platforms like ACHIVX prove that gamification and technology can reshape how loyalty is delivered, while brands like Amazon and Starbucks continue to innovate at scale.

The key takeaway? Loyalty must feel rewarding beyond the transaction. When done right, it becomes part of the customer’s identity and routine — a powerful force for long-term business growth.

[rjkooks]

21:58 — caleb comes home and fucks you in his colonel uniform.

➸ author's note: just a horny drabble i wrote on a whim. he looks so fine in that goddamn uniform it's making me feral :( not proofread btw!

“this what you wanted, baby?”

you’re on all fours, knuckles white as you desperately claw on the sheets, knees digging in the soft mattress as your ass hangs proudly in the air. you feel tears well up in your eyes, feeling them almost roll into your skull from how good caleb was eating you out.

you just know it’s absolutely nasty behind you. he’s slurping your slick like a man severely depraved, and oh — how his tongue slowly spelt each letter of his name over your walls covered in white. he’s diabolic for this. sprawled out bare naked beneath him, and he’s all clad in that damn colonel uniform that he knows has you reeling for him.

the smooth leather of his gloves presses on your clit, his thumb rubbing tight circles on your sensitive nub as he teasingly pushes the tip of his tongue in and out of your gaping hole. you quiver, a downpour of sinister noises resonating around the room. it merely fuels him to drive you mad from his tongue alone.

“c-caleb,” you cry out, your vocabulary dwindling down to one word, and you chant it over and over again in a mantra, the oversensitivity triggering cry after cry as he’s about to pull another orgasm out of you.

how many times has he made you cum already? three? four? or maybe five? you don’t know, you don’t remember, you lost count. hell, you weren’t even counting in the first place. all you know is that you’re about to approach another intense peak.

“cumming again, pips?” he speaks against your sopping folds, the vibrations of his mockery has you arching your back into a deeper curve. he doesn’t even have to ask, he already knows from the way your legs inevitably shake, moans turning up to a higher frequency as your folds clench tighter around his tongue. he wants you to feel him, take everything he has to offer you.

oh, how he wanted to fuck you so bad as if you’ve downgraded into a mere fleshlight, his cock straining tightly against his pants, but nothing is rewarding enough without patience. so, he waits, waits for you to fall apart one more time in his mouth before he can finally fill you up like you’ve always wanted.

“caleb, caleb, p-please…!” you cry out, drooling against the sheets but you pay no mind to the mess you’re making, your thoughts fixated on the way his tongue and thumb drew patterns on your soaking cunt.

back and forth he flicked his tongue against you, leather-clad thumb playing with your clit and snap goes the string in your gut, gushing out like niagra falls and into his awaiting mouth. he laps everything up, lips engulfing your entire pussy as you uncontrollably shake beneath him.

his hands find their place on your hips, keeping you still as he finishes any remains from your high, only pulling away when he knows you rode it out.

“such a good pipsqueak f’me…” he mutters adoringly, loving eyes wandering over your bare body as he finally frees his cock from its restraints, not completely pulling his pants down.

you gasp, feeling the dripping tip tease itself against your folds, and you feel his chest press on your back, lips hovering over the shell of your ear.

“gonna take my cock like a good girl, won’t you, pips? your gege’s gonna make you feel so, so good…” he whispers, voice hot and sensual, aching with need as you finally feel the angry veins of his cock slowly breach your insides.

“ha… ngghh… caleb…” tears form in your eyes again, not from the pain, but rather from how good it felt. everything about caleb feels good, but nothing beats the way his girth perfectly sheathes itself inside you, only to fuck himself in and out of you for hours on end.

he chuckles menacingly from the way your face twists in pleasure, white-knuckled from how tight you were clawing on the sheets as the sound of skin slapping continuously bounced off the walls.

“c-caleb…” you sob, your mind completely gone beyond mush as you can solely focus on the way his cock kept kissing your cervix. “too much..!”

“shhh…” he soothes you, thumbs drawing circles over your skin. “you can take it, yeah? i know you’re a strong pipsqueak,” he whispers against your ear, voice ever-so gentle that it shows a stark contrast between his mean thrusts.

you try running away, the overstimulation overwhelms your senses to the point where you dwindle down into a sobbing and drooling mess.

“oh no, no, no.” if it weren’t for the steel grip he has on your hips, you’re certain your legs would’ve gone out by now. you let out a strangled cry, immobile as his cock kept rearranging your insides.

“just six more minutes, baby,” he murmurs, “six more. so be a good girl, yeah?”

you whine, unable to comprehend his words yet you nodded nonetheless, too cock drunk to care anymore. when he meant six minutes, however, he meant two more hours.

[allthecanadianpolitics]

I actually really dislike using taxes to try and pressure certain behaviours because it only really causes problem for poor people, especially if you're going to make making exemptions for industries that should be the target of it anyways. It's all for show. Ooh, gas is more expensive now so people will make greener decisions--you've just made it so companies will hike up their prices so gas is more expensive but the average Canadian has no alternatives to paying that higher price. And removing the carbon rebate? It's the same story about how taking money through taxes is "bad" (for companies), but god forbid the government give that money to the individuals who may need it. Maybe it encourages some level of change by making green more profitable, relatively speaking, but it still puts the onus on companies and consumers when progress has a price tag more expensive than the status quo and gives reason for "greener" alternatives to price gouge because environmentally friendly is a selling point for the people who can afford it. Even if he creates tax incentives for other, greener choices, the question remains as to who can afford to make those choices and reap the rewards? If the government outright subsidized those green choices it'd be one thing, but simple rewards or being overall, long-term cheaper still requires already having the initial capital necessary to invest in those green choices.

(Plus carbon isn't the only measurement of being harmful to the environment. Something will excel at whatever measurement you use for success--we see this in how instead of using fossil fuels, companies like Tesla will still engage in environmentally and humanitarianly damaging practices but claim being eco-friendly because they're not using oil or coal)

Just man up and make regulations, put funding into better, greener infrastructure so making the greener decision is actually feasible, actually DO something useful instead of expecting individual Canadians to make the "right" decisions in a dysfunctional system. That's why we HAVE a government. I know we've made lots of progress in terms of switching to more renewable, green energy, but while you've got to reward the behaviour you want to see you also have make it feasible for the average Canadian. They could at least push for something more radical instead of waffling on policies that no one likes anyways. I'd respect the Liberals far more if they at least tried, even if it failed.

Carbon taxes are, at least when not used in conjunction with other more constructive policies, half-assing it in a way that is fundamentally ineffective at actually solving the problem because it doesn't address the demand part of supply-and-demand, and primarily screws over those who have fewer options in the first place. Its kowtowing to the oil industry because instead of offering genuine competition or alternatives, you instead give them a fine that they can afford to pay, and if they can't or won't they dump it on their consumers who largely have little choice in something like mode of transportation. And so long as its in competition with gas, electric cars and similar will remain more expensive because those who can afford it are willing to shell out for the more eco-friendly choice, not to mention the bigger price tag on maintaining and using that electric car, but that dynamic is reliant on the cheaper, gas-based baseline existing for those too poor to make the "green" decision. All of which has a profit motive that supersedes the people and environment that it is meant to benefit.

But the most basic example of Why We Need Governments And Taxes is maintaining roads for communal use and we still have 407 so I'm not holding my breath.

~~~~

[ransprang]

Vi x reader (Piss kink part 2)

Thank you anon for requesting on our KoFi

Read the Vi Piss kink part 1 here!

The rolling green hills of Malaysia were making you horny again as you drove through the lush countryside. You were still replaying the events from only a few hours ago, where you had had your pink haired goddess moaning and writhing in ecstasy above you.

You tried to stay fixated on the road but your eyes were glazing over with lust. Your mind filled with thoughts of your lover, guzzling water, getting hydrated, wet and ready for the next session. What a horny slut. Your slut. 

As your eyes scanned the road ahead, you noticed Vi fall asleep, she was clearly tired from being fucked, you smiled at how beautiful she looked. You could hear her snoring softly as you drove, and that was enough background noise to keep you from turning on the radio. 

As you drove, you noticed that a small rest stop was nearing. You opened your mouth to let Vi know, but then paused. She looked so peaceful resting next to you, without the usual worries and cares which usually lined her features. Suddenly you didn’t have the heart to wake her. Instead you kept driving, and if that resulted in a little reward for you later, you weren’t going to complain.

After an hour’s drive with Vi deep in slumber, you reached the pit stop to get some snacks for the 4 hour road ahead of you. The trees were getting darker against the twilight sky, the street lights were now switched on, and as you got off the car at the petrol pump, there was a dingy air about it.

 A massive Shell sign marked its entrance, there were several empty pumps in front of you, and a small shop with supplies behind. You parked the car at one of the pumps and as you hooked the pump in, carefully as to not wake Vi up, you took the time to jog to buy snacks. 

Opening the door, you were greeted by a very old man, with long white hair in a pony. He was smoking a cigarette and did not bother looking up as you searched the shelves for some pringles, and soft drinks. Eventually picking up all your items you reach the cashier placing them down to get scanned, when you noticed something behind the eccentric man. Long, cylindrical, dark shapes were hanging at the back. Some were in innocuous white packages, others out in the open with delicate adornments like ridges and indents. This man had the biggest and most diverse collection of strap-ons you had ever seen.

With your mouth open you were stunned for a second, the old man instantly took note and casually remarked “Oh this? Ha, you wouldn’t believe what kind of people we get.” Snapping out of your trance, you kept looking at the different types before you, big, small, purple, black, ribbed and smooth. The variety was enormous, further fueling your curiosity.

 As the cashier scanned your final item, he turned around and asked “So which one is it for you?” Looking at the collection, your eyes widened as you stuttered out, “Uh, uhm, the pink ribbed one please.” The old man nonchalantly picked it up and added it your bag.

“That’ll be 150 ringgit”, the old man’s eyes bore into yours intensely. Perhaps he had seen a lot in this little shop. Handing him the money you ran out with the bag, excited to show Vi your interesting find. 

You went back to your car and closed the door softly, careful not to wake your sleeping beauty up. You placed the little bag on the dashboard and restarted the car. Anticipation thrummed under your skin, but you held yourself back. Chewing on your lip you tried to keep your thoughts from straying off the road.

After a while, looking in the mirror you saw Vi stirring around. Her eyes blinked, fluttering open. She groaned as she propped herself up. Your eyes met and you gave her a smile, “Hey beautiful, seems like you’re finally awake. Slept well after our little adventure?” you asked.

She laughed, “Yea cupcake. Slept well alright. How long have y’been driving for?” She ruffled her hair a bit, looking around the nighttime landscape. “A while,” you replied.

Vi quirked an eyebrow, “Geez doll, we still ain’t at the villa yet?” You tried to contain your laughter, “Yeah. The highlands are pretty vast I guess. How was your nap?”

“Good. Had some interesting dreams.”

“Oh do tell,” you replied, your heartrate picking up. “What did you dream about?”

“Let’s just say I was rather looking forward to reaching the hotel,” Vi smirked.

“And what did you have in mind babe?” You said, arousal running down your spine. Vi’s lips quirked into a devious grin which quickly spread across her face, “You’ll see.”

Your grip tightened on the steering wheel, “Why wait?”

Vi gave you a sideways glance. 

“I got you a present,” you told her, indicating the plastic bag on the dashboard. “Open it.”

You could see the gleam in Vi’s eyes as she peeked inside, her face colouring immediately. You parked the car at the side of the road as Vi looked up at you, her expression lustful. 

“Let’s move to the backseat, shall we?” You suggested slyly.

Vi all but ran and clambered into the backseat of the car with you following quickly behind.

As you loomed over her in the backseat you gently took the packet she had clenched in her hands. Her hands free, she cupped your cheek and closed her eyes, leaning in to kiss you. 

As Vi kissed you, her tongue explored your mouth, she wanted you. Her aggression got stronger, she began pawing at your clothes as she pushed you back. As you fell back onto the seat she pulled her top off and began unbuttoning her shorts, pulling them down. You scampered to get your own clothes off quickly, Vi was breathing heavily in an attempt to control herself. 

She sat there naked rubbing her thighs together clamping her pussy folds together. You noticed the motion and bit your lower lip. You could feel the fire within you burn. You whispered, “Vi? Baby lie back, let me see you.” Vi was so hot, heavy beads of sweat began sliding down her breasts falling onto her toned abs. She laid back down and parted her legs, you could see her vagina, wet and dripping. 

Vi used her hand and began rubbing her clit, rolling her eyes back as she let out a moan, she added on, “I need you.” Eager to please, you put on the 8 inch strap on and rubbed at the tip, preparing it to enter Vi’s entrance. It felt cool under your touch but you knew it would heat up quickly enough. You pulled out a packet of lube and emptied it onto the plastic pink dildo, giving it a few solid strokes to spread it out. 

You grabbed the strap-on and rubbed it on her clit, you could see it red and swollen from stimulation. She felt a jolt, you could see her stomach contract, as she released her breath. Vi was beginning to shake from pleasure. You entered slowly, making sure she was comfortable. The ridges and girth of the dildo stretched her sweet pussy out. Vi moaned with her eyes rolling back, “Fuck, yes.”

Once your whole length was within her, Vi used her hands to hold your waist to guide your hips and control your pace. She loved being in charge after all. You went faster and faster, Vi tightened her legs around your waist, “Cupcake..fuck I…I think I have to pee again. It feels really good baby, don’t stop.” You pick up your speed, “You’re taking me in so well,” you laugh breathlessly, looking at the feast before your eyes. 

Vi rubs her clit faster, as her G spot gets fucked and her bladder throbs. She arches her back, in absolute ecstasy, she was on cloud nine. You could see how her supple breasts bounced with each thrust, sweat rolling down her body. You ached to make her cum. Vi moaned and stuttered out, “I don't think I can hold it in,” biting her lip. 

You knew what you had to do next, as you slid your strap on out of her and pulled away you set her straight, essentially increasing the pressure on her bladder, making her even more sensitive. You took the car seat belt and strapped Vi in securely, completely naked with legs parted. You lowered yourself, kissing all the way down to her cunt. You lightly sucked on it as you used your tongue to play with her folds. 

Vi’s urge to pee only got stronger as she contracted her vagina tightly in order to hold it. She could feel jolts of electricity rise up from her clit, as her urethra got stimulated. You used your fingers to part open her pussy as you flicked her clit with your tongue, you could taste her sweetness. You began kissing her vulva as she used the tip of her finger to rub her clit. 

She could not contain herself any longer as she let herself release some of her fluids onto you. Instantly pulling away you exclaimed authoritatively “Won't let you be relieved just yet.” As you went back in with your strap on, humping her faster with Vi’s legs resting on your shoulders.

You lean closer to her body, both your tits rubbing together, you could feel her hard nipples against yours. You smashed your lips against Vi’s as your hips picked up pace pumping the woman beneath you. Vi, moaned loudly as she flipped you around. She let the seat belt loose and got on top of you, riding you, rubbing her cunt. She leaned back in a cowboy position as she released her juices. They spilled out around you. Vi moaned louder as she squirted, little spurts of urine spattering onto the car and your naked body. Vi was breathing heavily as she relieved herself, her face twisted in ecstasy.. You held her tightly, shoving your cock deeper into her as she orgasmed all over you. 

As she came, you slowed down your pace and let her body stop quivering. You watched as the seat beneath you was drenched with her sweat, piss and cum. She moaned as she lifted her pussy up from the cock. 

She sat on your lap and smacked your tit, “Good girl, pleasuring me, now…should I help you?” You needed her “Yes…” you said with an air of desperation. Vi smirked, “Oh please, you have to do better than that. Beg me.” You cupped her face “Vi, I want you to fuck me so hard, relieve the ache in my pussy.” Vi pushed you back almost harshly taking the strap-on off you and wearing it herself. “Cant believe I will fuck you with the same dick you put in me.” 

As the tip of the cock entered you, still warm from its previous activity, you rubbed your clit with one hand and played with your nipples with the other. You wanted to cum so bad, especially with the stimulation from the strap on rubbing against your clit, you were already so close. You arched your back and asked Vi to slow down,”Vi, I want to feel you please,” you begged. Vi had an evil smirk “Feel me? Huh”, she stopped and pulled out. She took off the strap on and positioned herself to scissor you. 

Lining her clit against yours, she slowly moved her hips for her pussy lips to rub against yours. You both looked down at your pussies rubbing against each other, watching the various juices get mixed together. Feeling satisfied from stimulating your vulva, as she easily moved you to sit up on her lap, with her thigh between your legs. 

“Ride”, she commanded, looking into your eyes. You rubbed and rode her thigh desperately, leaving your juices on her. You rode her till you felt the heat rise up from your clit, it spread through your folds and went back to your pussy. You watched as her eyes wandered from the friction between your pussy and her thigh, up to the way your breasts moved frantically. Your face heated up from the intense attention. You threw your head back and moaned “Vi…”. She used her hand to gently rearrange your hair out of your face, leaning forward to kiss your neck, leaving hickeys. Vi’s hands moved to your hips helping you increase your speed, “Come on baby. Cum for me.” 

Knowing you were just about to go over the edge, you tweaked your nipples, and with one final hip thrust you felt yourself burst as you came. You breathed heavily as Vi kept rocking your hips gently, making you ride out your orgasm. Once you came down from your high, you looked at Vi as you both looked at each other with eyes filled with love and ecstasy as she pulled you into a tight hug. 

Once you had both caught your breath you looked around and saw the car was filthy, the seats soaked and the entire place smelt of sex and piss. Vi smiled at you sheepishly, “We got a little too carried away, huh cupcake?” 

You whispered in her ear “Thank you for being in my life”, Vi smiled as she stroked your hair, “And thank you for being in mine.” You both smiled as she looked at the strap on kept beside, Vi laughed “You're crazy. How the hell did we end up doing this on a road trip?” You laughed loudly with your head resting on her shoulder “Well, I am in fact crazy, for you.” Vi poked your belly tickling and teasing you. “Not more than me.” She pulled you in for a deep kiss. Finally she reached out for her top, not bothering with her bra or panty she wore her grey top and pulled on her shorts. She hopped onto the passenger seat from the back. You took the time to clean the strap on and the seats with tissues. You wore your clothes and went back to the driver's seat. You looked at your passenger princess, “Next stop is the tandas I'm guessing.” 

Vi laughed, “You know it.”

You giggled, “C’mon, it’s my fault for not waking you at the rest stop. We are only 20 minutes away from the next one.”

You got back into the driver’s seat and headed towards the next destination, eager to see what else awaited the two of you on the rest of your holiday.

Your peepee,

Admin Sav, San, Sar

[usafphantom2]

Tap arrow

worked closely with the SR 71 feels the same way as they have bonded with this magical airplane. For some people...It was love at first sight with no connection at all. To me, this airplane is more than a stagnant relic. It is a large part of who I am, who my father was, and who our friends are. These leaks were monitored and measured in drips per minute (DPM). Each area of the aircraft had a built-in tolerance for maximum DPM. Once a certain area surpassed its maximum DPI, maintenance would have to re-seal the inside of the fuel tank, which was described as a nightmarish process. As I walked underneath the aircraft, my shoes stuck to the fuel residue on the hangar floor. This had happened to me ( Curt) a thousand times during my years working on the flight line. But this time was different. This time, the fuel came from an SR-71. This time, the fuel on the floor was JP-7, a proprietary fuel that no other aircraft used.

For me, this was an emotional experience. I don’t believe many people have experienced this since the Blackbirds stopped flying in 1999, and even fewer folks will experience this in the future once these elegant crafts contain no more fuel to weep. So many people look at these museum pieces as dormant, dead shells of what they once were. That day, #17958 rewarded me by showing that she still had life left in her. This was a connection between man and machine that I do not take for granted.For me, this beautiful airplane is still alive. I know that the legend of the Blackbird program will never die because there will never be another program like it using people to fly and navigate airplanes. The reason why I felt emotional by seeing the leaking fuel was this met the blackbird still had some life in her. There is no life in a satellite and drones Half of this article was written by Curt Mason and the other half by Linda Sheffield photographs belong to Curt Mason

@Habubrats71 via X

[denaliwrites]

Run Rabbit Run

Cale Erendreich x GN!Reader

Summary: (18+) Cale loves a good chase.

Soundtrack: Run Rabbit Run by Flanagan & Allen

Requests: Open!

Warnings: It's Cale Erendreich and it's smut. Knifeplay, Bloodplay, Primal Play, Restraints, CNC. Very brief choking.

Your heart hammered erratically in your chest, a wild songbird beating against its cage for a freedom it could never have -- a freedom that'd kill it.

You could feel trickles of blood dripping down your arms and the stinging pain of the seeping cuts forced a choked sob from your throat.

The sound of a door opening nearby startled you into stillness, body pressing deeper into the darkest corner you could find. You willed your body to hold silent for just a minute, just until you heard footsteps receding.

You received no such luck, and it was getting harder and harder to repress your body's instinctive urges.

"You better fucking run," Cale called from the end of the hall. "If I catch you, I'm going to fucking gut you like the little bunny you are. You hear me?"

Oh, you heard him. Loud and clear.

Finally, you heard the sound of him going down the stairs. You waited another minute, then carefully crawled from your hiding place.

You just needed to reach the front door. You just needed to get out of the house. That's all you had to do.

You stopped at the door, listening as carefully as your fear-addled brain would allow, for any signs he'd come back. Hearing only silence, you turned the knob at a torturously slow pace, and cracked the door open just as slowly.

This was a mistake.

It creaked just before it was wide enough for you to slip through, and somewhere below you a foot stomped. You imagined Cale turning, trying to pinpoint where exactly upstairs that sound had emanated from. It sent a shiver down your spine.

Having given your position away, you stood quickly and slammed the door shut behind you, but padded carefully to the end of the hall. You looked over the banister, watching him turn towards the stairs.

He hadn't seen you yet.

Silently, you padded past the stairs, opening the door closest to them and slipping inside just as his footsteps started ascending.

You realized when you turned around that you were in a bedroom.

It was... sterile. Pristine. There was no decor, only a white nightstand beside a plain bed with white covers. The walls were white. There was no closet for you to hide in, but the bed had space underneath it. If you needed to, you could hide.

Instead, you turned to the door, pressing your ear to it. You could hear him at the other end of the hallway, checking rooms.

Slowly, delicately, you pulled the door open to peek outside.

He wasn't looking in your direction, hadn't seemed to notice the door opening.

You seized your opportunity. You threw the door open with a bang and darted down the stairs, not even caring that he'd heard you and was now chasing after you. You had the advantage, you could see the front door and were in the clear.

You were two bounds away from freedom when Cale's impossibly solid arm wrapped tightly around your throat, squeezing the air out of your lungs.

Nails dug into his arm, scrabbling in a desperate bid for both air and freedom.

"Oh, you were so close," he purred into your ear, licking the shell tauntingly.

The gravity of the situation fueled you, and with a rush of adrenaline, you sent your elbow up into his ribcage. He shouted in pain and dropped to his knees, and when his arm was no longer around your neck you made a break for it.

"Not so fucking fast," he growled. His hand wrapped around your ankle and you went tumbling down.

You expected it to hurt more, but you realized that he'd padded your fall -- and in fact, the whole floor -- with fluffy white rugs.

This man really did prepare for every eventuality.

He climbed up your body, flipping you over once his hand reached your shoulder. "That was a valiant effort," he praised you, his voice still edged with a note of predatory delight. "But I'll take my reward, now."

Tears sprang to your eyes in anticipation as the metallic glint of his knife caught your attention. It was there and then it was gone, and you didn't need the searing pain that followed to tell you where it had gone.

"I told you I was gonna gut you," he sighed as a trail of blood dribbled from the fresh cut along your belly to the white rug underneath you. "What a beautiful little bunny you are, bleeding for me."

You sobbed in pain as he made a perfectly symmetrical slice into the opposite side of your belly, yet even as you did you felt a jolt of arousal reach between your thighs.

"Oh, what was that?" he teased mercilessly, the tip of his knife trailing down your gut to press dangerously against your underwear. "Does this excite you, bunny?"

You didn't want to give him the satisfaction of a reply, of you admitting --

"Answer me!" he roared, blade digging in even more.

With a pitiful moan, you cried, "Yes! God, yes!"

You could feel your excitement pooling in the pit of your stomach, and by the appreciative sound he made, you suspected Cale could see just what effect he was having on you.

"Oh, bunny," he sighed in praise, smirking as his knife trailed away from the apex of your thighs and down, slicing little rivulets into the delicate skin of your inner thighs, blood dripping down onto the rug below.

Your thighs were shaking, both from the pain and in the effort to keep them open, to keep yourself exposed to him. For your efforts he placed a tender kiss to your knee, then trailed several more down your thigh until he reached the waistband of your underwear.

"I don't think you need these anymore," he said casually, before using his knife to cut them apart. You whimpered as the cold metal touched your skin, as the fabric of your underwear fell away uselessly.

"That's a good bunny," he praised you again, leaning forward so that he could kiss you fully on the lips. You tasted your blood on him, felt his smirk as you moaned when the coppery tang flooded your senses.

"I wonder," he started, tone playful, "if I can make you cum with this." He held the knife up for you to see, and you eyed it warily, though you also couldn't help the pleased little shudder that coursed through you at the sight of it stained with your blood.

"P-please, Cale," you begged in a whimper. You weren't even sure what you were begging for.

"Roll over," he commanded suddenly, and you obeyed like the good little pet you were. His hands were delicate as they took hold of your arms, carefully bending them so that they were behind your back. You heard him undoing his tie, and a moment later your hands were tied tightly.

"C-Cale," you whined, testing the restraint. "Cale--"

"Shut up," he barked, and your words immediately died on your tongue.

He moved so that he was kneeling over you, knee pressing down into your back, and it felt like he was putting all his weight into it.

Desperate, fearful, electric pants rocked your body as your lungs clawed for more air, but he didn't let up, even as your vision blurred around the edges.

Just when you couldn't take anymore, just when you were mere moments from passing out, he finally eased up, and faster than you could process you were back on your back, arms pinned beneath you.

He laughed as you took great gulping gasps of breath.

You'd barely caught your breath when his knife cut into your skin again, making you keen as twin cuts sprang forth along your previously untouched thigh. "Cale," you gasped, hips rolling for his attention.

"In time," he promised you.

"Please," you begged. "Please..."

You wanted him inside you, filling you, fucking you.

The look he gave you was contemplative. But you could see you weren't winning him over -- not yet.

"D-don't you want to... to claim your prize?" you asked, hips twitching eagerly as another cut sent another jolt of pleasure down.

"... What do you think I'm doing right now?" he deadpanned.

"Y-you're gutting me," you whined. "But it's not the same. You know it's not. Claim me, Cale."

That did it. You saw the change in his eyes, the hunger, the predatory drive.

You heard the unbuckling of his belt and had to bite back the triumphant smirk that threatened to ruin it all.

His hands wandered up your bloody thighs, smearing the red all over you and wetting his hands with it. You knew what he was doing, and it only served to send more electric pleasure down your spine.

You gasped as two of his fingers entered you, stretching you and preparing you for his cock. Felt the still-warm blood coating your insides.

"Fuck, Cale," you whimpered desperately.

"I'm getting to that," he chuckled darkly.

And, indeed, he was. Once he was satisfied that you were wet enough to take him, he wasted no time pressing his cock into you. A sharp thrust of his hips sent it in to the hilt, and you keened as the feeling of him filling you sent you over the edge.

He grunted as your body constricted around him, walls squeezing tightly around his cock.

"Oh, God," you moaned as you came down, pants of exertion breezing past your lips.

"That was quick," he sighed, though there was no trace of annoyance or anger in his tone. And it didn't stop him from using you as a cocksleeve, anyway.

His hips pulled back, eliciting a moan he found rather delicious, even more so as it drew out into a cry when he snapped his hips back into your own.

"Cale, I'm gonna--"

"So soon?" he asked teasingly, and you only gave a pouty huff in response. "I must've--" he cut himself off with a sharp thrust, "really done a number on you this time."

You looked up at him with hazy, love drunk eyes that quickly lost focus as his cock hit something particularly sensitive inside you and you squealed, contracting around him in shock and pleasure.

"Ooh, I gotta keep doing that," he chuckled wickedly, and sure enough, on his next thrust he made sure to hit the same angle, and you squealed again, walls constricted again.

He wasn't delicate in his fucking after finding that spot. In fact, he rather brutally pounded at that same place, over and over, and if you hadn't been so lost in your building orgasm you'd think that you were probably gonna be very sore in the morning.

With a few savage final thrusts, you felt warmth as Cale spilled his seed inside you, and you tumbled over the edge with him, crying out in ecstasy as you came again.

He pet your hair as you came down, withdrawing only once he was sure you were done. You were barely aware of him pulling you up, of him undoing the tie around your wrists, or of him picking you up and carrying you up the stairs to his bedroom.

The last thought you had before sleep claimed you was how you couldn't wait for Cale to hunt you down again.

[eretzyisrael]

by Matthew Continetti

Less than a week has passed since Israel launched a ground campaign in the Gaza Strip, and already there are calls for a ceasefire. Not only should these calls be ignored. They should be denounced.

Why? Because calls for a ceasefire reward barbarism. The usual double standard is hard at work: Hamas terrorists spent years planning the murder of more than 1,400 Jews on October 7, and Hamas terrorists continue to hold hundreds of captives, including Americans, while shelling Israel with indiscriminate rocket fire. Yet it is somehow Israel's responsibility to exercise self-restraint.

This interpretation of the situation is entirely backward. Hamas could end all this tomorrow if it released the hostages, put down its arms, and surrendered. Hamas, not Israel, is the aggressor. Hamas, not Israel, is the "occupier" of the Gaza Strip. Hamas, not Israel, rejects international law. Hamas, not Israel, steals food, fuel, and water from civilians. And the fact that these words need to be written at all is evidence that the culture-producing institutions of the West—the media, the universities, cultural and political celebrities—are irreparably broken.

A ceasefire would be worse than useless. If Israel were to end combat operations now, with Hamas in control of the Gaza Strip and captives hidden in the maze of tunnels known as the Gaza Metro, then the terrorists will score a remarkable victory. Harassment and attacks on Jews worldwide will surge.

Hamas will regroup. Its strategy of using civilians as pawns in a chess match for global opinion will have proven effective once again. Its ranks will swell. It will plot its next move. "The Al-Aqsa Deluge"—Hamas's name for its October 7 crime against humanity—"is just the first time," Ghazi Hamad, a Hamas factotum, said on Lebanese television the other day. "And there will be a second, a third, a fourth."

[fishrpg]

2024-12-17: Arizona (Hex 17)

Greenish gray chaparral on hills and mountainsides forms the dominant feature of the landscape. The scent of smoke from a wildfire lingers on the breeze, though neither smoke nor flames are visible.

Notable Feature: The Flying Schoolbus (Dungeon)

Medium Dungeon, 12 areas

A bus belonging to Arizona State University is parked in the air, floating about 30 feet off the ground above the shoulder of the highway. With a combination of ingenuity and/or climbing utility poles, the bus's main door is reachable.

Two few years ago in 1964, the Arizona State University Sun Devils basketball team was late to an away game. When they arrived, the team played as a shell of their former selves and everyone seemed to have a worrying amount of memory loss that year. Most folks chalked it up to the team experimenting with drugs from hippies, but that wasn't the case.

Instead, the team passed through The Routes at the exact moment a malevolent but incorporeal entity that Christian theology would describe as a devil passed through the area. For a brief moment, the bus of athletes and the devil merged. This devil took most of the memories of the team to create a physical form for itself, while the actual team eventually left The Routes and didn't do too well at basketball that year.

The floating bus is the form that the devil took, and until the devil relinquishes that body, it cannot leave this part of The Routes. Inside the bus is a hellish cavern that is much larger on the inside than it should be. Each row of seats is a separate area, as is the driver's area and the emergency exit. Forcing open the emergency exit at the back of the bus from the inside will cause the devil to lose control of the bus and disappear (anyone inside the bus when this happens will appear on the roadside). Unfortunately, the dungeon is prowled by weird amalgamations of basketball players who want to stop the "opposing team" from making it to the back of the bus. These basketball players vary widely in appearance, though every one has a similar maroon and gold uniform and their face emits a blinding light that resembles the surface of the sun.

Successfully evicting the devil from The Routes will cause the memories to return to the team and turn them into a powerhouse of athletics once again. As a reward, the party will get season tickets to any ASU Sun Devils game and also gain the ability to borrow buses from the school for only the cost of gas.

Service Station: Tired All The Time

Most of the money generated by this service station comes from tire sales. Nearly any type of tire a vehicle might need can be found at Tired All The Time. Flat tires can also be patched here, but serious mechanical issues will need to be tended to elsewhere.

In addition to tires (and fuel), this shop is also home to "The Country's Blackest Coffee" which tastes foul but it'll keep someone awake for 1d4+1 days. Other stimulants of varying degrees of legality are also available for purchase.

Items From Other Hexes

The Arizona Guard unit that Butch Henderson (Hex 16) owes money to is located nearby, though reaching their location requires leaving The Routes. Anyone who Butch owes money to can be paid off, but dealing with the AWOL situation is going to be much harder.

[new-tella-us]

New AU.... kinda

Okay so I got an AU however, it is HEAVILY inspired by a different AU and almost an expansion on it since the creator no longer seems active. But since this will be a heavy inspiration, I'm going to link the original. The OG creator is @incubae-fics

On top of that, I might give it some time before really expanding, today I'm only posting sketches of redesigns (aka just my version of the boys but meaner) Cause if the creator comes knocking in my DMs going "I don't want you to do this," I'd rather just delete this instead of multiple posts.

Got it? Okay. Now we can get to the good stuff.

I got some drafts of what some of the characters would look and act like. Starting with the main bish herself.

Now the OG Mika is honestly more of a nicer timeline of Mikas since David isn't nearly as cruel. Uh... in this timeline, that's undone and cranked up. He's not afraid to yell or get the belt and as they got older, it got worse. But instead of producing an obedient child, it produced Mika, who is basically just him but younger. She yells, talks back and will get violent if needed.

To people she doesn't know or doesn't dislike, she has a far nicer persona but as soon as you piss her off, that drops. Though despite her edgier look and more prickly personality, she's not a bad person. She's still kind, respectful (if you respect her) and is still in college to become a CEO, so she's didn't drop her life into the gutter in her rebellion.

Over the course of the game, she comes to accept and eventually warm up to the men in her house as they form a broken but semi functional found family. And maybe... just maybe, she could find love again.

Oooooh J A M E S. If you thought canon James was condescending, you ain't seen nothing yet. This version of James is extremely passive-aggressive. It's his way or the highway and he often doesn't look for or accept criticism. Is he still proper and polite? Yes but he's much more blunt.

A life of being forced to be the perfect son in the eyes of his tyrannical father and cold-hearted mother has hardened James's heart. Even towards his brothers, he forces a cold and drill sergeant persona to force them to listen as that was what kept them, mostly Sam, safe against the Demon Lord.

But beneath his stone shell is a man who wants to outgrow the pressures he shoulders but is too scared to let his persona slip. Too scared of being anything other than what he is. He needs someone he can trust, someone he doesn't feel like he needs to protect by being cruel. And he needs someone willing to show him that he isn't at risk of being like his parents just by being himself.

Then there's Erik (The last of my drafts)

James calls him an aggressive flirt, Sam calls him a whore, most know him from his ability to target your best qualities to flatter but also target your worst insecurities to earn your trust. The ability to talk his way out of any situation with his default tactic being seduction. He's forward and tells Mika exactly what she wants to hear in that sickeningly sweet way that exes have in the past to get her to sleep with them.

You can blame his mother for this. Kalipo is disgusted by the idea of brutes and the idea of Erik turning out brutish in any way so she forced him in the exact direction that she was forced into when she was young. He would use talk, no matter how invasive or disgusting, to get what he needs. If that requires offering himself as the reward, so be it. Sex is his job. A way to get loyalty or reward actions as nothing in this world is free. The smartest creatures are the ones that can choose the price they pay for "kindness".

Erik hates the man he's become but has determined that it's necessary to survive. He needs to stay in the good graces of the people who can and will offer safety. People like Mika. The problem is that Mika is refusing what he offers and he's confused by that. She offered her home and asked for nothing in return. Erik can't process that is kindness. Blind kindness doesn't exist to him. So what does she want?

[rjzimmerman]

Why Oil Companies Are Walking Back From Green Energy. (New York Times)

Excerpt from this New York Times story:

When oil and gas companies made ambitious commitments four years ago to curb emissions and transition to renewable energy, their businesses were in free fall.

Demand for the fuels was drying up as the pandemic took hold. Prices plunged. And large Western oil companies were hemorrhaging money, with losses topping $100 billion, according to the energy consulting firm Wood Mackenzie.

Renewable energy, it seemed to many companies and investors at the time, was not just cleaner — it was a better business than oil and gas.

“Investors were focused on what I would say was the prevailing narrative around it’s all moving to wind and solar,” Darren Woods, Exxon Mobil’s chief executive, said in an interview with The New York Times last week at a United Nations climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. “I had a lot of pressure to get into the wind and solar business,” he added.

Mr. Woods resisted, reasoning that Exxon did not have expertise in those areas. Instead, the company invested in areas like hydrogen and lithium extraction that are more akin to its traditional business.

Wall Street has rewarded the company for those bets. The company’s stock price has climbed more than 70 percent since the end of 2019, lifting its market valuation to a record of nearly $560 billion in October, though it has since fallen to about $524 billion.

The American oil giant’s performance stands in contrast with BP and Shell, oil and gas companies based in London that embraced wind, solar and other technologies like electric-vehicle charging. BP’s stock has fallen around 19 percent in that time, based on trading in London, while Shell’s has climbed about 15 percent.

The market’s renewed acceptance of fossil fuels underscores one of the core challenges of curbing global emissions: Climate change poses risks that compound over decades. Scientists say every fraction of a degree of warming caused by fossil fuels brings greater risks from deadly heat waves, wildfires, drought, storms and species extinction. But investors are focused on making money over months and years.

“If we want to combat climate change, we need to make it in the firms’ and consumers’ self-interest to produce and buy the low-carbon alternatives,” said Christopher Knittel, a professor of energy economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The election of Donald J. Trump, who has falsely described global warming as a hoax, has led to even greater optimism about the oil and gas business.

The difference in profits that companies can make from extracting oil and gas and what they can earn from harnessing wind and solar had already swung sharply in favor of fossil fuels in recent years.

The median return on capital among some of the world’s biggest investor-owned oil companies, a key measure of profitability, topped 11 percent last year, up from negative 8 percent in 2020, according to an analysis by S&P Global Commodity Insights. The median return over that same period for the top renewable energy companies has stayed around 2 percent.

[lazyvase]

War Bots Story: Investigation

*Note: The following incidents have been taken from numerous Havens, cities, and towns. As such, the timeline and order indicated by the numbering may be inaccurate.

**Note: To protect individual’s identities, some information has been either censored or replaced (varying by each Haven’s policies).

Incident #23: Commanders Calber of Haven 1 and Navea of Haven # needed a resupply of mortar shells for an attack on an Outlander Outpost. The two officers managed to get in contact with a weapons dealer who went by "Shiny Sam". They exchanged 30000 credits for a large box of mortar shells. Upon opening the box, they discovered that the mortar shells were just soup cans painted black. Shiny Sam had already fled the scene.

Incident #324: Three construction bots paid for 40 tons of bricks by supplier “Rick Scoll’s Materials.” They received a 40 ton brick instead. Having no tools to properly separate the block of stone, they attempted to contact RSM. No answer. The authorities were called shorty after. Upon investigating how they came into contact with RSM, the three bots began to argue and bicker over who was responsible for the whole ordeal.

Incident #682: Famous pop star “Harmony” was planning to host her Millennium Forward performance in Haven 3. However, in the weeks leading up to the event, nearly 79% of her tickets were scalped by internet username “cr3d1tc4rd”. Furthermore, most tickets bought from the scalper were revealed to be counterfeits. Resulting in Harmony played to a nearly empty stadium.

Incident #799: Velenna ________ and Aphrodite ________ were caught with stolen lab equipment in Haven 4. When interrogated, Velenna insulted and swore at investigators. Aphrodite claimed that they bought them from a vendor in Haven 5. She described the vendor as having white plating, a trapezoid-shaped head, a black suit, black wires in the shape of a mullet, and glasses with one lens orange and the other green. Eyewitnesses from Haven 5’s marketplace corroborated their story, claiming that the same man sold posters of "invisible" tigers.

Incident #2354: Agent 770 _____ ______ ___ _________ ______ ___ __ ______________ ______ ____________ weapons dealer _________ _____ ________ "Ferrard Ferrardeli" ________ _____ false info _______ _ ___ _____ casino ________ cruise ship ________ oil rig ___ ________ ___________ oil rig and casino combination ______________ ___ ___ ___ _____ __ _ ______ explosion ____ ______ ____________ __ soup cans painted black.

Incident #516: An incident involving the vigilante Otto resulted in the arrest of "The Tendril Gang"'s key leaders. When interviewed by the local news later, Otto commented that the leaders seemed to be buying some sort of high-level security from a "nice-looking yet shady bot" named "Slip Jib". Otto said that the bot wore a nice colorful suit and had brown wires on his head that mimicked a receding hairline. The bot slipped away during the fight, leaving behind the security pass they were trying to sell to the gang leaders. Upon some examination over Otto's donation, it was revealed that the pass was nothing more than painted plastic.

Incident #873: Two individuals were spotted robbing Rust-Easy graveyard. Eyewitnesses provided the details for the following sketches of the two suspects.

Incident #3983: Popular Rewind content creator Poppett was a regular promoter of “Vohsak Energy Drinks”. Studies conducted on the fuel source revealed a link to increased likelihood of corrosion and molding by those who utilized it. In what is her most disliked video in her channel’s history, Poppett issued an apology to her fan base.

***Note: This ring of scams and false products seem eerily similar. If anyone has any information on possible connections, they are encouraged to come forward. A prize of 40000 credits can be expected for anyone who helps reveal the truth behind these crimes.

Incident #995: We are no longer offering the reward money. No elaboration will be provided.

****K's Note: Suckers.

[mariacallous]

Throughout much of the summer of 2013, Egypt was in the grips of what could be described as “Sisi-mania.” Songs, sandwiches, music videos, poems, and even pajamas paid tribute to Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the military officer who’d just overthrown President Mohamed Morsi.

From the outside, it was a bizarre spectacle as millions of Egyptians rejoiced at the military’s ruthless and brutal intervention against the Muslim Brotherhood apparatchik who’d only become president a year before, in June 2012. Even so-called revolutionaries and longtime critics of Egypt’s authoritarian political system seemed to genuinely adore the diminutive military leader who promised them a fresh start after a tumultuous 18 months beginning with the uprising against longtime leader Hosni Mubarak in late January 2011.

With Morsi jailed and members of the Muslim Brotherhood dead, arrested, or on the run, Sisi promised Egyptians better days, though he warned his fellow citizens to be patient. That was wise. Egypt’s complex economic, social, and political problems had only deepened as Egypt lurched from one crisis to another throughout the fraught and short-lived democratic transition. Yet a decade later, Sisi has not rewarded Egyptians for their patience. Quite the opposite: The man who was supposed to have rescued Egypt is now overseeing its ruin.

Sisi promised Egyptians prosperity, but Egypt is flat broke. The statistics are staggering. Inflation is running at almost 37 percent and a single U.S. dollar fetches 30 Egyptian pounds. (It was about 7 pounds to the dollar when Sisi came to power.) The country’s international debt is almost $163 billion, and its overall debt is projected to reach nearly 93 percent of the country’s GDP in 2023. Government officials have been forced to manage Egypt’s finances like a shell game, moving money around in a vain attempt to hide the country’s precarious economic conditions.

Sisi has been making the case that the country’s economic tribulations are the result of issues beyond his control, especially the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Those crises have no doubt created significant economic challenges that countries—the United States included—have had difficulty managing. Yet Sisi’s protestations are clearly a discursive strategy to downplay his own culpability in the further pauperization of Egypt.

The president has gone on a debt-fueled spending spree on mega-projects for which there are few economic justifications. The mightiest and most obscene of them is the New Administrative Capital, which is just in its first phase and so far has cost over $45 billion. When the United Arab Emirates and China pulled out of the project, Egyptians were forced to foot the bill by adding massive amounts of debt to the country’s balance sheet.

In addition to building a new capital lock, stock, and barrel in the middle of the desert, Sisi is overseeing a bevy of other large projects. Notable among them is a new “summer capital” on the north coast, a nuclear power plant (in a country with excess electricity), a sustainable city in the Nile delta, and the revival of a failed Mubarak-era mega-project in upper Egypt called Toshka. This comes after the opening of a Suez Canal bypass—billed as the “New Suez Canal”—in 2015.

Most of these projects are of dubious economic value but are (or were) politically important. They were meant to be tangible demonstrations of Egypt’s rebirth under the steady hand of its new military officer-turned-president and his colleagues at the Ministry of Defense. The message may have been that Egypt can still do great things, but these mega-projects have become unsustainable economic burdens on the country.

Officials point out that many Egyptians were employed in the construction of these projects. Fair enough—but at what cost? Governments have a responsibility to build infrastructure, but the long-term benefits must outweigh the short-term costs. New bridges, roads, interchanges, airport upgrades, and subways are well worth it—and Egypt has done some of this—because of the return on these projects in terms of greater and more efficient economic activity. The Suez Canal bypass may fit into this category, but the summer capital and the New Administrative Capital are enormous pits of money that Egypt does not have.

It is hard to fathom that within a decade, Sisi—whose patrons in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates refloated the Egyptian economy with direct cash transfers, who secured International Monetary Fund (IMF) loans on easy terms, and who enjoyed significant goodwill among Western governments—took a poor country and made it poorer.

In its most recent agreement with the IMF, the Egyptian government agreed to sell off state assets, including those that the military owns. Yet there have been few buyers, because these assets are either not worth anything, no one knows how to assign them a value, or potential buyers are sitting on the sidelines waiting for another devaluation of the Egyptian pound (which would be its fourth since March 2022) so they can get whatever quality firms there are at even cheaper prices. Recently, the government announced $1.9 billion in sales of state assets, which is positive but does little to relieve widespread economic suffering. Egyptians rose up in 2011 because they wanted dignity. A fire sale of state-owned assets is hardly dignified.

Rather than continuing to wait for the prosperity their leaders promised, Egyptians are leaving in increasing numbers. Lost in much of the reporting on the sinking of the overloaded fishing boat off the coast of Greece in June was the fact that there may have been 300 to 350 Egyptians aboard. And though the number of Egyptians migrating to Europe by boat increased after the January 2011 uprising, it has risen further in recent years. Through June, more than 6,000 Egyptians have tried to make it to Italy by sea since the start of 2023. They constitute the second largest group of migrants hoping to make it to Italian shores. In 2022, about 22,000 Egyptians sought a better life across the Mediterranean. Of course, it makes sense that larger numbers of Egyptians would be leaving given the dire economic circumstances they confront.

Egypt’s economic travails only reinforce the idea that the country is a spent force. In the 1970s, President Anwar el-Sadat sold U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger a story about how Egypt was an influential player that could help secure regional peace and be the linchpin in an anti-Soviet regional order. Sadat (consistent with both his character and political career) was exaggerating. Egypt is an important U.S. partner. Yet with few exceptions—such as Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm—it never had the resources to play the role U.S. policymakers had hoped it would when Cairo reoriented its foreign policy toward the United States.

And although Sisi is in the room for important meetings such as the recently concluded Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg or last summer’s GCC+3 meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, it seems the Egyptian leader’s attendance is pro forma. Being in the room confers a certain amount of influence, but Egypt is more an observer at these gatherings than a player.

The most glaring example of Egypt’s descent and concomitant, hollow foreign policy is Cairo’s almost total absence in the civil war in Sudan—the country’s own backyard. In the opening phase of the conflict, Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo’s Rapid Support Forces held nearly 200 Egyptian soldiers and airmen—who were in Sudan to conduct exercises with the Sudanese army—hostage. They were released relatively quickly with the help of the Emirati diplomats.

After that humiliating episode, the Egyptians have stood on the sidelines and watched the Saudis play an important role evacuating third-country nationals from Sudan. Sisi then ceded any effort to mediate in Sudan to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (with help from Americans). But some in Cairo must be embarrassed that Saudi Arabia has ended up playing the critical role in a conflict where Egypt—according to its own myths—should be leading. Indeed, when Cairo hosted a conference of Sudan’s seven neighbors in mid-July to urge a cease-fire, even that didn’t go well. It was little more than a talkfest and photo-op—and during his remarks at the conclave, Ethiopian leader Abiy Ahmed thanked Saudi Arabia for its mediation efforts.

Recently, an astute Egypt analyst tweeted, “I can honestly say I no longer see a way out from this.” By “this,” I suspect she meant the ruin that Sisi has made of Egypt. A decade or so after Egyptians rose up demanding bread, freedom, and social justice, they have none of those things.

[daisy9955]

Best Fuel Credit Card in India: Maximise Savings on Every Litre

With rising fuel costs affecting daily commuting and travel budgets, having the best fuel credit card can lead to significant monthly savings. Whether you drive to work, operate a vehicle for business, or frequently travel by car, a credit card that offers fuel rewards, surcharge waivers, and cashback can make a real difference.

In this comprehensive guide, we will help you understand how fuel credit cards work, compare the top options in India, and introduce a standout performer—BOBCARD’s fuel credit card—for those looking to maximise value.

What is a Fuel Credit Card?

A fuel credit card is a type of credit card specifically designed to provide benefits on fuel spends. These benefits often include:

Fuel surcharge waiver (typically 1% on fuel transactions)

Reward points or cashback on fuel purchases

Special partnerships with fuel retailers like IndianOil, Bharat Petroleum, and HPCL

Annual fee waivers based on fuel spend

If your monthly fuel expenses exceed ₹3,000–₹5,000, the right fuel card can offer meaningful savings and loyalty rewards every time you fill up your tank.

Why Should You Use a Fuel Credit Card?

Let’s look at the key reasons to opt for a dedicated fuel credit card:

Save on Surcharge: Fuel transactions at petrol pumps typically include a 1% surcharge. A fuel card waives this fee.

Earn Cashback or Points: Some cards offer up to 5% cashback or bonus points on fuel spends.

Co-branded Offers: Many cards are tied up with fuel companies, unlocking exclusive benefits.

Budget Control: Track your monthly fuel expenses via your card statement.

Value on Business Use: Great for professionals or business owners with high travel requirements.

Best Fuel Credit Cards in India (2025)

Here are some top-performing cards based on benefits, charges, and rewards:

Credit Card

Key Fuel Benefits

Annual Fee

BOBCARD Select

1% fuel surcharge waiver across all petrol pumps in India on transactions between ₹400 and ₹5,000

Lifetime Free

IndianOil Axis Bank Credit Card

4% value back on IndianOil fuel, 1% surcharge waiver

₹500

ICICI HPCL Coral Credit Card

2.5% cashback on HPCL fuel, surcharge waiver

₹199

SBI BPCL Credit Card

13X rewards on BPCL fuel, 1% surcharge waiver

₹499

HDFC Bharat Cashback Card

5% cashback on fuel spends, surcharge waiver

₹500

Let’s now explore BOBCARD as a standout choice for fuel savings.

BOBCARD Select: A Great Fuel Credit Card with Lifetime Free Advantage

Among the various fuel-focused credit cards in India, BOBCARD stands out for offering both fuel savings and lifestyle benefits—that too with zero annual fees for life.

Key Fuel Features:

1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Get a surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400 to ₹5,000 at any fuel station across India. This covers the most common fuel purchase range for daily and weekly users.

Universal Fuel Partner Acceptance: No tie-ups with specific brands—enjoy savings whether you fill up at IndianOil, BPCL, HPCL or Shell.

Smart Rewards on Fuel: While fuel purchases don’t earn standard reward points due to surcharge waivers, you earn accelerated points on other categories (like dining, online shopping) that help you save across the board.

Lifetime Free Card: BOBCARD Select does not charge joining or annual fees, making it ideal for long-term fuel savings.

Additional Lifestyle Benefits of BOBCARD Select

Though it shines in fuel savings, the BOBCARD Select also offers:

5X Reward Points on dining, online shopping, utility bills

Airport Lounge Access (2 complimentary visits per quarter to domestic lounges)

Easy EMI Conversions on large purchases

Global Acceptance at over 36 million merchant outlets

It’s a well-rounded card that benefits fuel users, online shoppers, and frequent travellers alike.

Who Should Get a Fuel Credit Card?

A fuel credit card is ideal for:

Daily Commuters: If you drive to work and fill up regularly

Frequent Travellers: Long-distance car or bike travel for personal or business use

Gig Workers or Freelancers: Those who depend on transportation services like delivery or logistics

Self-Employed Professionals: Doctors, real estate agents, or consultants who travel often

Business Owners: Small enterprises with logistics or field teams can use add-on cards for fleet fuel management

Tips to Maximise Benefits from a Fuel Credit Card

Pay Full Bill Every Month: Avoid paying interest on fuel spends by clearing your bill on time.

Use Partner Pumps: If your card is co-branded, use the affiliated petrol pump for maximum rewards.

Track Minimum Transaction Limits: Most surcharge waivers apply between ₹400–₹5,000.

Bundle with Lifestyle Cards: Use cards like BOBCARD Select that offer more than just fuel perks.

Use Add-On Cards: If managing fuel expenses for family or employees, issue add-on cards to track and save centrally.

Final Verdict: Which is the Best Fuel Credit Card?

If you are looking for:

Zero annual fees

1% fuel surcharge waiver

Universal petrol pump compatibility

Additional lifestyle perks

…then BOBCARD Select is one of the best fuel credit cards in India for 2025.

For users loyal to specific fuel brands like IndianOil or BPCL, co-branded cards may yield slightly higher reward rates. However, for most people who prefer freedom, long-term savings, and a trusted issuer, BOBCARD offers an excellent balance.

Conclusion

Fuel credit cards are no longer niche—they're essential in an era of high fuel prices. Choosing the best fuel credit card like BOBCARD Select can help you:

Save money on every litre

Avoid unnecessary charges

Enjoy broader benefits like lounge access, online shopping rewards, and zero annual fees

Explore the entire range of fuel-friendly and lifestyle credit cards from BOBCARD and find the one that fuels your journey best.

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How to Get a Business Credit Card Without a Personal Guarantee: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you're a business owner looking to protect your personal credit and finances, you’ve probably wondered: “Can I get a business credit card without personally guaranteeing it?” The short answer? Yes—but it takes preparation. In this guide, we’ll break down what it means to get business credit cards with no personal guarantee (no-PG), why it matters, and the exact steps you need to take to qualify. Whether you're running a startup, a real estate company, or an e-commerce brand, building true business credit is a powerful move for long-term financial health.

 What Is a Business Credit Card With No Personal Guarantee?

Most business credit cards require a personal guarantee, meaning you—the business owner—are personally responsible if the business fails to pay the bill. This can affect your personal credit score and put your assets at risk.

In contrast, a no-personal-guarantee business credit card holds only the business liable. The issuer evaluates your company’s creditworthiness, not yours personally.

These cards are rare, but they do exist—and they’re a key milestone in separating your business and personal finances.

 Why Avoiding a Personal Guarantee Matters

Here’s why thousands of business owners are actively seeking no-PG credit cards:

Protect Your Personal Credit – Missed payments won’t show up on your FICO score.

Preserve the Corporate Veil – Maintaining clear separation supports your liability protection, especially for LLCs and corporations.

Enable Scalable Financing – You can build business credit and access higher limits based on company performance—not your personal income.

Better Asset Protection – Essential for entrepreneurs who want to shield personal assets like homes, savings, or investments.

 Tip: If you’ve formed a Wyoming LLC or C-Corp for liability reasons, using a no-PG card helps maintain that wall of protection.

 Step-by-Step: How to Qualify for a No-PG Business Credit Card

Getting approved doesn’t happen overnight. It requires building credibility for your business from the ground up. Here's how:

1. Form a Legitimate Business Entity

Avoid sole proprietorships. Instead, form an LLC or Corporation, ideally in a state like Wyoming for strong privacy and asset protection.

2. Get an EIN and Open a Business Bank Account

Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) through the IRS. Then, open a dedicated business bank account under your company name.

3. Register With Business Credit Agencies

Create profiles with:

Dun & Bradstreet (D-U-N-S number)

Experian Business

Equifax Business

4. Establish Trade Lines

Work with net-30 vendors like Uline, Quill, or Summa Office Supplies that report to credit bureaus. Pay on time to build history.

5. Maintain Positive Payment History and Low Utilization

Just like personal credit, consistent, on-time payments and responsible credit use improve your scores.

6. Reach a Strong Business Credit Score

Aim for a Paydex Score of 80+ with Dun & Bradstreet. This indicates timely payments and makes your business a more trustworthy borrower.

7. Apply With No-PG Lenders

Once your profile is solid, apply for cards that evaluate your business’s creditworthiness—not yours.

 Top Business Credit Cards With No Personal Guarantee (2025)

Here are a few popular options (availability may vary based on business profile):

Card Name

Key Features

Ideal For

Ramp

Expense automation, charge card, no PG

Tech-savvy, cash-rich businesses

Brex

No PG, rewards, credit based on cash flow

Funded startups, SaaS, e-comm

Divvy

Budgeting tools, no PG, flexible terms

Small to mid-sized teams

Sam’s Club Mastercard

Reports to D&B, no PG if biz is strong

Brick-and-mortar, wholesalers

Shell Fuel Card

No PG, builds business credit

Transportation, field businesses

Note: Many of these cards require solid revenue, multiple months of transaction history, or high business bank balances.

 Common Roadblocks and How to Overcome Them

Problem: Not enough business credit history Fix: Start with vendors that report (e.g., Uline, NAV, Grainger)

Problem: No revenue yet Fix: Some no-PG cards look at bank deposits and cash flow instead

Problem: Your business is too new Fix: Focus on building a strong credit profile before applying

 Final Thoughts: Build Credit That Works for Your Business

Getting a no personal guarantee business credit card isn’t just about getting more capital—it’s about protecting your personal finances, strengthening your corporate credibility, and scaling with confidence.

It takes effort, but the reward is powerful: a business that stands—and borrows—on its own.

Visit AssetProfile.com to evaluate your current business credit posture, risk exposure, and how your structure impacts personal liability. Whether you're just starting or ready to level up, AssetProfile gives you tools to build credit and protect your wealth—the smart way.

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☝️ To me, this airplane is more than a stagnant relic. It is a large part of who I am, and who my father was and who our friends were, and still are.~Linda Sheffield

When I photographed the aircraft on April 5, 2014, a year to the day after they lifted it on it’s pedestals, I found something incredible. When the plane was tilted up, residual fuel resting in the tanks moved aft and started leaking from the aircraft (shown in final picture in the photo set). The leaks still continue today, a year after the plane was tilted, and 24 years after the plane was last fueled.

When the Blackbird family of aircraft flew at Mach 3+, the friction of the ram air pressure heated the skin of the aircraft to temperatures in excess of 600 degrees Fahrenheit. This heating caused the whole aircraft to lengthen five inches from tip to tail during high speed flight, and contract again as it descended and bled off speed. This constant expansion and contraction caused the sealant in the fuel tanks to fail, creating leaks. These leaks were monitored and measured in drips per minute (DPM). Each area of the aircraft had a built in tolerance for maximum DPM. Once a certain area surpassed it’s maximum DPI, maintenance would have to re-seal the inside of the fuel tank, which was described as a nightmarish process.

As I walked underneath the aircraft, my shoes stuck to the fuel residue on the hangar floor. This had happened to me a thousand times during my years working on the flight line. But this time was different. This time, the fuel came from an SR-71. This time, the fuel on the floor was JP-7 a proprietary fuel that no other aircraft used. For me, this was an emotional experience. I don’t believe many people have experienced this since the Blackbirds stopped flying in 1999, and even fewer folks will experience this in the future once these elegant crafts contain no more fuel to weep.

Major Brian Shul, SR-71 Pilot and author of the book Sled Driver wrote, “After flying a number of sorties in the airplane, most pilots couldn’t help thinking the airplane had a heart and spirit of its own.” So many people look at these museum pieces as dormant, dead shells of what they once were. That day, #17958 rewarded me by showing that she still had life left in her. This was a connection between man and machine that I do not take for granted.

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Are Business Gas Cards Worth It: Exploring Rewards and Discounts?

Business fuel cards often come with a variety of rewards and discounts, making them an attractive option for companies looking to manage fuel expenses effectively. Well-known providers such as Shell, ExxonMobil, BP, and WEX offer these cards, creating avenues for cashbacks, points, and discounts on fuel purchases that can significantly benefit businesses. Understanding Business Fuel Cards and…