#ECONOMIC ESPIONAGE

[kesarijournal]

Unveiling the Secret World of Privacy Breaches and Espionage Among Allies

**Introduction:**In a world where the lines between ally and adversary blur, the recent revelations of Google’s $5 billion settlement for infringing on user privacy and the intricate web of espionage among friendly nations have ignited a global conversation. This article delves into the clandestine world of privacy breaches and espionage, unearthing the uncomfortable truths that define our modern…

[panicinthestudio]

Further reading:

HKFP: Explainer: How, and why, the gov’t banned protest song ‘Glory to Hong Kong’, May 17, 2024

[pebblegalaxy]

Sun Tzu's Principle of Winning a War Without a Battle: Exploring the Strategy, Historical Context, and Practical Applications

Sun Tzu, a Chinese military strategist who lived more than 2,500 years ago, is considered one of the greatest military minds in history. His famous treatise, The Art of War, has been studied and applied by military and business leaders for centuries. One of his most important principles is the idea of winning a war without a battle. In this article, we will explore this principle in detail,…

[jcmarchi]

APT31 and Global Cyberespionage: What is This Hacking Group? - Technology Org

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/apt31-and-global-cyberespionage-what-is-this-hacking-group-technology-org/

APT31 and Global Cyberespionage: What is This Hacking Group? - Technology Org

APT31, identified as the Chinese cyber espionage entity, has drawn attention from both the United States and Britain due to their numerous criminal activities which already resulted in charges and sanctions imposed on associated individuals and a company allegedly linked to the group’s activities.

Coding, cybersecurity – illustrative photo. Image credit: Mika Baumeister via Unsplash, free license

The purported perpetrators, believed to be under the auspices of China’s Ministry of State Security, are accused of orchestrating a widespread cyber espionage campaign spanning over a decade. Their targets are very diverse and range from government officials, legislators, and activists to academics, journalists, and even entities like defense contractors and a prominent U.S. smartphone manufacturer.

China has refuted these allegations, urging the U.S. and British governments to desist from politicizing cybersecurity matters, refrain from tarnishing China’s reputation, and halt unilateral sanctions and cyber attacks directed at China.

APT31, also known as Zirconium, consists of a network of Chinese state-sponsored intelligence operatives, contract hackers, and supporting personnel engaged in malicious cyber operations, according to the U.S. Treasury Department. Defined as Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), groups like APT31 are typically associated with individuals or groups, often with state backing, involved in nefarious cyber activities.

Operating under the guise of Wuhan Xiaoruizhi Science and Technology Company (Wuhan XRZ), APT31 allegedly conducted its operations from at least 2010 until January 2024, as indicated by a U.S. indictment filed in New York’s eastern district court. For example, the New Zealand government has attributed a cyber intrusion on its parliament in 2021 to another state-backed Chinese hacking group known as APT40.

APT31 is accused of targeting thousands of U.S. and foreign politicians, foreign policy experts, and various individuals as part of the Chinese Ministry of State Security’s (MSS) foreign intelligence and economic espionage endeavors, according to U.S. authorities. Among the targets were individuals associated with the White House, the State Department, and even spouses of officials.

Allegedly, these cyber intrusions often coincided with geopolitical events concerning China.

The available U.S. documents suggest this conspiracy involved over 10,000 malicious emails across multiple continents with the objectives purportedly included stifling critics of Beijing, compromising governmental institutions, and stealing trade secrets.

As a response, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Wuhan XRZ and seven Chinese individuals on March 25, including Ni Gaobin and Zhao Guangzong.

Similarly, the British government imposed sanctions on the same Wuhan-based company, along with the two aforementioned individuals. The British authorities allege their involvement in a 2021 email hack targeting the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) and a cyberattack on Britain’s Electoral Commission spanning 2021-2022.

Written by Vytautas Valinskas

[motion90affect]

Cyber Security | The Invisible Shield

[andreacurryjeidajeitafanfic]

cosmographically where is the historical biological geographical cosmological psychological evolutionary library book of the pragmatic invention of the sociolexical item of the bitch the hoe the slut the whore the hooker the sex slave they have just as much to do with the war the economy the policy of the laws the geocentrism of the nations what's the quantum physics theory on the chemical element there why is that just the bill of rights how is that the constitution when does the declaration of independence from the prostitute occur who is that bad for the environment huh? 🧪

microcosmic batteries

🔋🔋🔋

your the european agriculture growing down there in europe you're not taking care of business its a different history

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[latestnewschronicle]

Belgium's Intriguing Case: Alibaba's Logistics Under Scrutiny

Belgian authorities are delving into the depths of Alibaba’s logistics division, located in the picturesque city of Liege, for potential espionage activities. This investigation unveils a captivating tale of intrigue and mystery surrounding one of the world’s tech giants.

Alibaba, known primarily for its e-commerce prowess, faces scrutiny in an entirely different domain. The Belgian probe into their logistics arm has raised eyebrows worldwide. The questions being asked are numerous: What secrets does Alibaba’s logistics division hold? How deep does this rabbit hole go?

This isn’t just a business story; it’s a gripping narrative of corporate espionage and international intrigue. Uncover the full story, including the latest developments and insights, delve deeper into the investigation.

Source: Economic Insider

Also Read: Union Extends Auto Workers' Strike, Asks Biden to Join Picket

[wttcsms]

i'll pretend you'll stay forever ; kento nanami.

pairing kento nanami x f!reader  word count 2.4k  synopsis no one knows that the bodyguard for the prime minister's daughter fucks her on a daily basis. content contains bodyguard!nanami x prime minister's daughter!reader, big, beefy, strong nanami hehe, creampie, slight brat taming, pet names (baby, good girl, bad girl), cockwarming, dom!nanami, hair pulling, car sex, nanami makes you call him sir author's notes s2 was animated for the nanami girlies

Kento Nanami is good at his job.

Granted, he’s been practically bred for the position. Born and raised by a mother and father who also dealt in espionage, sent to boarding schools that would feed him directly to The Academy, constantly being reminded of his purpose. Agent Nanami serves as one of the Prime Minister’s most trusted secret operatives. A select few who are given the most sensitive assignments. 

“K-Kento — too much,” your shaky whines sound even louder than they actually are, emphasized by the silence in his car. 

Sensitive — yes, that’s what you are. 

“You can take it.” He tells you, gently stroking your cheek. His calloused thumb wipes away a stray tear, and he takes you in. You’re still tearing up, your lashes slick, and you’re pouting at him. You’re always pouting, probably because growing up, you’ve never been told no. It’s not required according to his assignment file (most of what Nanami has been doing with you has decidedly been not required), but Nanami’s been trying hard to give you lessons that will have you behaving politely and like a good girl rather than the spoiled brat you actually are.

Kento Nanami is good at his job.

When he’s told that he is to be the primary bodyguard for the Prime Minister’s daughter, he accepts it without hesitation. Everyone else has had no luck with you, and you certainly don’t seem to be bothered by that fact. You’re in college now, and you want nothing more than to skip lectures and go to parties, both of which is rather difficult when you have a bodyguard watching your every move and reporting directly to your father.

Nanami goes about his assignment in a different way. There’s another bodyguard, one who is also watching you, but young Itadori cannot possibly go about protecting the Prime Minister’s most beloved daughter safe all by himself. He’s barely graduated from the Academy.

Besides, you automatically dislike any of the guards assigned to you. Itadori is a nice, young man, and in different circumstances, everyone is certain that you would have enjoyed his company. The fact that his job is to protect you seems to be his only fatal flaw in your eyes.

Nanami is no stranger to undercover work, and so posing as a final year doctoral candidate at the university you’re attending is an easy cover. Setting up the perfect chain of events that leads to you specifically choosing him to be your economics tutor was also an easy enough task. 

And somewhere along the lines, you got this idea inside of your pretty, little head that you’re just the smartest, sneakiest girl around. You think you’re evading Itadori’s watchful eyes, taking advantage of his rookie status even though he’s always aware you’re “sneaking off” to meet with Nanami. You think you’re finally rebelling against your father’s strict instructions to stay out of trouble. 

And while Nanami does ensure that you keep out of trouble, he’s not sure if your father will approve with how he’s keeping you so obedient.

Kento Nanami is good at his job.

You’re not the first brat that he’s had to train, but you’re proving to be quite the star student. You hold back any more whining complaints, and instead, you’re straddling his lap like the good girl he knows you can be, his thick cock fitting snugly inside your pussy.

Both of your hands are clutching onto his broad shoulders, your pretty, manicured nails digging into the stiff cotton of his blue button-up. His mind doesn’t register the sting of your nails practically sinking into his skin. All he can focus on is what a pretty, dazed little mess you are. 

“See?” He coos, sounding not the least bit condescending. The warmth of his baritone, the reassuring strokes on your cheek — Nanami is a gentleman. You practically beam with pride as he tells you, “I told you you could take it. Such a good girl.”

You still haven’t moved yet, and Nanami whispers more words of praise for you. It only took two weeks of training to get you to understand that you can beg for his touch, his attention, his cock, all you want, but he gives it all to you under his terms and conditions. He knows you want some friction, knows that you need it so badly because why else are your walls clenching down so heavily on his length? You’re being so patient with him that he feels himself getting impossibly harder at the thought of your perfect behavior. 

“You want to ride me, baby?” The question comes out as a throaty whisper, the clear desire he has for you evident in his rough tone. 

You nod eagerly, damn near salivating at the thought of finally being able to take what you want. 

“Use your words.” He demands, moving his hand to caress your face once more before letting his thumb toy with your bottom lip. 

“Yes,” you whimper out, trying your hardest to resist the temptation to start moving, to have the feeling of his cock brushing against your walls, in and out, in and out.

His eyes narrow, and his cold demeanor is enough to keep you frozen in place. Oh, you’ve upset him. 

“You were being such a good girl, too.” He shakes his head in disappointment. “When you answer me, what are you supposed to say?”

“Y-yes, sir.” 

“And if you knew this, why didn’t you say it the first time?” The way he snaps at you shouldn’t give your tummy butterflies, but it does. Nanami is far kinder and gentler than he lets on, and it’s why you enjoy it when he takes on such a demanding role when it’s just the two of you. No one can handle your attitude as well as Nanami, and that’s precisely why you’re warming his cock right now, walls tightening around him with every stern scolding that leaves his mouth. 

“You can’t answer me?” The sharpness of his tone turns you demure, making you turn your head down and away from him, refusing to answer or look at him, and he frowns at that. You feel him wrapping your hair around his hand, and the movements are soft, slow, gentle at first—

—and with speed and dexterity that shouldn’t belong to a mere student, he’s yanking you by your hair, forcing you to snap your head up and look him in his cold eyes. 

“You were behaving so well earlier.” He feigns disappointment, but the hungry glint in his eyes tells you that he’s been looking forward to whatever punishment he has in store for you. “What a shame. I was going to let you have me however you wanted, let you take control for once.” He leans down, whispering in your ear. “Instead, it looks like I get to fuck you like the bad girl you really are, hm?” 

Before you can protest, apologize, beg for mercy, he takes his free hand to grip your waist, strong enough to lift you slightly off of him, only to slam you back down on his dick. 

You let out a strangled cry at the sudden intrusion. It’s one thing to have him sink into you inch by inch; it’s another thing entirely to have him practically impale you with his dick.

His thrusts are rough, hard, unforgiving. Never sloppy, though — Nanami’s much too meticulous to reduce himself to a wild animal, even though he’s fucking you so hard, you can’t tell if he hates your guts or just wants to rearrange them. 

His hand is still tangled in your hair, and he pulls some more, forces your neck to arch up. He leans in, licking at the soft skin of your neck before nipping at the skin, hard enough to leave a mark you’ll need to cover up with a turtleneck because no amount of concealer can save you now.

You mewl in pain at the sensation, but it’s obvious you love it. You’re dripping all over his dick, forcing wet, squelching sounds to fill the car every time he moves inside of you. You should be ashamed — would be ashamed — if only the overwhelming pleasure didn’t leave your mind shrouded in a hazy mist of lust and rapture. The pinpricks of pain from how he’s pulling your hair and from the fresh lovebites marking your flesh should hurt more, but you’re too lost in the way his cock is filling you up. 

“Look at that.” Nanami growls, untangling his hand from your hair in favor of putting his fingers to better use: stroking your clit. “You’re fucking soaked.” You look down as he commands, and your eyes widen in surprise, even though it shouldn’t come as such a shock to you. The front of his trousers is absolutely drenched with your juices, and your clit practically glistens in the faint moonlight that sneaks past the tint of his car. “Is this why you like to be a bad girl? Because you like getting fucked like a fleshlight, is that it?”

You want to shake your head no. You want to tell him that you are good, that you’re not a bad girl. But the stimulation on your clit, his harsh words, the way his cock is repeatedly hitting that special spot of yours — it’s all too much for you to handle.

“I want to treat you so well, baby. I want to spoil you, give you everything, but you make it so — fucking — difficult.” He speaks through clenched teeth, the warmth and ecstasy of being buried in your sweet pussy slowly chipping away at his resolve. The last three words of his sentence have all been punctuated by a particularly brutal thrust, and you’re certain that by the end of this, your cunt will keep the shape of his cock forever.

“I’m sorry!” You scream out, tears flowing freely down your cheeks now. The pleasure is mind-numbing, earth-shattering, reality-altering. Neither of you know what you’re apologizing for. Is it for being a bad girl when all Nanami wants is for you to behave so he can bring you the world at your feet? Is it for the wet mess you’re making all over his nice clothes and cock? Or is it for the fact that you’re breaking a cardinal rule, one that he will be most displeased by?

Maybe it’s all of the above, but if you had to pick, the apology would be for the fact that you’re cumming without permission. Your conscious mind is aware that Nanami is not going to be very happy with you, but this climax has you seeing stars. You can’t find it in yourself to worry about future consequences when you’re losing yourself in the throes of passion and pleasure. You’re drenching his cock in your cum, seeing stars, and reduced to feeling like a boneless mess. You slump against his strong chest, eyes struggling to remain open as you rest your head on one of his big, broad shoulders.

The punishment doesn’t come immediately — it rarely ever does. Nanami bides his time and doles out his punishments when you least expect it. He does it to keep you on edge, and you’d be lying if you said it didn’t excite you. 

Instead, he lets you rest against him, reduced to nothing more than a little, fucked-out mess. You feel a rumble from his chest, a series of grunts and curses leaving his mouth as the bucking of his hips is done so harshly, you’re certain that you’re going to be bruised everywhere, from the soft flesh of your thighs to your poor cervix. A few more thrusts and Nanami is certain that he is planted as deep as he could go, the tip of his cock hitting you at your most sensitive spot. 

You feel him bury his face into your hair, taking in the scent of your shampoo and the lingering aroma of sex and sweat. His cock throbs in sporadic bursts, and you hear him grunt out your name like a broken prayer.

He cums, unloading a hot, heavy load directly inside of you, flooding you. You think you forget how to breathe, and all you can do is just take it, take all of him.

The warm sensation has you moaning softly; the feeling of him completely dominating your senses, your body, you, has you wanting him to never let you go, to never leave. You tighten your core, trying to squeeze more of his cum into you as he lets out little groans of pleasure from above you. You love reducing him to a moaning mess, reducing him to this sex-dazed state whenever he lets go because of you.

You don’t think you’re capable of speech, throat raw from your previous screams of pleasure, but you find that you don’t have to speak to let Nanami know what you want. As you lift your head from his shoulder, relishing in the sight of Nanami with his head leaned back, cheeks flushed from the exertion of giving you the best dick of your life, he opens his eyes to meet yours. Leaning down, he captures your lips and gives you a messy, sloppy kiss that is so unbecoming and out of character for him. 

The makeout session lasts until your eyes feel droopy and you’re not responding anymore. Nanami just looks down at you with a fondness that he hasn’t felt for anyone else in a while. You’re all tuckered out, and you’re breathing softly and slowly, lost to the world of dreaming. He’s a bit exhausted, too. He should pull you off his cock and buckle you back safely in the passenger seat, but he sees a small trail of his cum dribbling out of your overstuffed pussy and he figures it’s less of a mess if he just keeps you nice and plugged up for the time being.

Before he can close his eyes and join you, the crackle of his telecom planted in his watch comes to life. The static doesn’t do much to alter Itadori’s voice.

“Y1 to K1, this is Y1 requesting status of the Princess. Over.”

The “Princess” is currently dozing peacefully with his cum settling in her cunt. Nanami thinks that’s too crude to relay over the comms, though.

“K1 to Y1, Princess is secured. Over.”

[cmanateesto]

Is Socialism Anti-American?

[asha-mage]

Randland World Leaders - Do they know the price of a banana apple?

Morgase Trakand - No, but she could get it in the right neighborhood if asked. Understands the economic influences that affect prices and knows roughly where Andor's sit at any given time.

Elayne Trakand - Pre world travels? Not with a gun to her head. She wouldn't give a false guess though, just avoid the question rather then admit ignorance. Post world travels she knows the prices of most common food stuffs for Andor and all of it's immediate neighbors with scary accuracy.

Rand al'Thor - Yes. One of the first things Rand does after taking over Tear is familiarize himself with tax policies and food production and grain trade. He is a farm boy at heart and has Powerful Opinions on cost of living.

Perrin Abyara - Nope. He thinks he does, but in reality he names the price of apples he paid aka, pre adventure. He knows that prices in general have gone up but if you tried to sell him an apple he would get offended when you wouldn't take the same price he paid prior to half a dozen kingdoms going to war, and the endless summer choking out trade. He wouldn't say anything though and just assume you where trying to squeeze a few coins out of him because he's dressed like some 'idiot lord'.

Faile- Yes. She knows exactly the price of apples grown in the Two Rivers and knows that it's out competing the neighboring provinces apples by a good margin. Does this have something to do with her threatening local officials to ensure they don't try to hard to compete with Two Rivers food prices? Maybe, but it's nothing Perrin can prove she did. HE dosen't know the price of apples.

Siuan Sanche - Apples? No. Fish? Yes. Siuan could tell you the price of every fish in the market at Tar Valon and what will be cheaper next month based on yields out of the south. This is not for economic reasons, it's because she still eats fish for 3 meals out of 4.

Berelain - Nope. She has economic advisers who she pays to know that. Her skill and perk points all went into Foreign Policy and Espionage, not Economics.

Alliandre - The price of apples keeps Alliandre up at night staring at her bedroom ceiling, fearing for her life. It turns out having a religious tyrant running rampart around your kingdom burning down farms and causing skyrocketing inflation by assaulting trade routes and exacting inconsistent 'tithes' on merchants will make you VERY familiar with the economic conditions of the common man. Every time the price of apples goes up a silver mark, Alliandre makes her food taster check her meals an extra time.

Tuon - Yes. Always good to know the price of local cyanide containing fruits, just in case.

Elaida - "It's an apple Alviarin? How much can it cost? 10 gold marks?"

[panicinthestudio]

US-China Tensions: Threat Inflation and Balloon Deflation, February 8, 2023

When a Chinese spy balloon was spotted over the U.S. last week, Americans reacted the only way they know how: by shooting it out of the sky with a missile. But why do we keep insisting that China is our sworn enemy? We’re talking through all of this with Jessica Chen Weiss, the Zak Professor at Cornell and Senior Fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute Center for China Analysis, and John Glaser, adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute and host of Cato's Power Problems podcast. We discuss America’s reflexive urge to escalate even the smallest threat, why our geopolitical position is actually way more secure than we’re led to believe, and whether we might figure out a way to share the world stage with China.

The Problem With Jon Stewart Podcast

[sadist1224]

I need the Mafia!141 AU

I just want one more Mafia!141, but where you are not a sweet helpless girl, but a junior police lieutenant who was not accepted back into service due to injury.

And so you work in a bar that belongs to Valeria, and you don't give a shit who's a thug or not, but at some point you find yourself involved in this cycle of mafia events between gangs 141, CorTak, Los Vaqueros, Shadows and Connie, although you are essentially a civilian.

But instead of being a victim, you, as a former policeman, begin to nightmare overconfident mafiosi, defend your point of view and protect ordinary civilians from them.

Of course, you attract their attention, especially 141, who dragged you into this mess.

Sop and Gaz, who come to your bar for the first time, see you and go to greet you with a happy face, and you point guns in their faces, because WHAT the HELL do they think they can just kidnap you to blackmail your idiot ex who dared to steal money from them.

Sop and Gaz, who liked you right away, are still tied up in a chair, and they didn't mean you any harm, but work is work and now they're trying to make amends.

Imagine the faces of Price and the Ghost when Johnny and Kyle tell them that they met you at the bar behind the counter, and the men's eyes immediately light up with interest, because this is Valeria's bar, and she is still a dark horse.

Of course, they are setting up surveillance on you, but you are not blindly sewn, so you literally burst into Price's office and poke him in the face with this espionage. Your threats don't sound so impressive to him, but your sharp angry look and tough stance ignite something in him that he has long forgotten about. And he agrees to stop the surveillance, but in return he sends his boys to follow you.

Since then, there has not been a day when b 141 has not appeared in your bar. Of course, it annoyed you, but then you resigned yourself to working in a bar and helping those in need.

At some point, Joni brings Alejandro and Rudy to the bar, and Valeria is not happy about this, but you calm her down, saying that you keep everything under control.

Johnny, who quietly boils with jealousy when you respond to a light flirtation of Mexicans, but you only give him an angry look.

Kyle, who arrives a little later and finds Sope smoking at the entrance with an offended expression on his face.

And you see the upset expression on the face of the man with the mohawk, and the way Gaz gently rubs his shoulders, trying to cheer him up, and your heart thaws a little bit.

Johnny is ready to blow something up with happiness when you secretly send these two two stacks of whiskey on the house. The smiles on their faces are so bright, like children's, that you can't take offense at these two anymore. But this does not mean that you have posted a Price List or (even more so) A ghost who tried not to contact you at all.

A ghost who already knows where you live, what you drive, what kind of coffee you prefer and what books you read.

A ghost who actually feels sympathy for you for the strength of your character and a moderately kind heart, but he also thinks that you obviously like Gas and Soap more than he does, so he does not want to get into your fragile relationship with his subordinates, for fear of breaking everything.

A ghost who refuses Johnny to go to the bar with him until the last moment, but eventually breaks down when Sope talks about his favorite bourbon, which you ordered just the other day.

A ghost who sees no point in giving flowers, preferring something more practical and necessary for you. Therefore, by the end of the evening, he imperceptibly leaves you a generous tip, knowing what a precarious economic situation you are in, and that you will obviously refuse them if you are given them on purpose.

Price, who has been trying to get information about you all this time after you appeared in his office, but apart from your date of birth, place of birth and place of study, he can't find anything, even with his connections, so he considers you "clean".

Price, who is so intrigued by their new friend from the bar that he sets up a business meeting with Los Vaqueros in it, making a new secret gathering point out of your place of work.

Needless to say, Valeria was not happy about it? But she does not blame you in any way, because you are almost her sister, and if she could, she would have made you her right hand in her underground business long ago, but you deliberately ask not to involve yourself in this.

The bar where you work unwittingly becomes a neutral zone, and the bar area becomes Valeria's area, which means your area. And now you are unwittingly responsible for its inhabitants. But you agree to this, because these people - your neighbors and friends - have become your family and you will do everything to protect your small area from mafia groups and keep peace in it.

[deception-united]

My biggest difficulties are some of these things in my medieval fantasy story: how to start a war? When to introduce the war? Any tips on the ideal length?

Starting a war in a medieval fantasy story can be a difficult process. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Starting a war:

Establish tensions: Build up political, economic, or ideological tensions between nations or factions before the war.

Create a casus belli: Provide a clear reason for the war, such as a territorial dispute, a betrayal, or a religious difference.

Show the buildup: Depict the mobilisation of armies, diplomatic efforts, and the like to create a sense of urgency.

Here are some ideas you may want to consider:

Political tension: Wars often begin due to escalating political tensions. Create a backstory involving conflicting interests between kingdoms or factions, such as disputes over territory, resources, or succession rights.

Economic reasons: Economic struggles, such as famine or trade embargoes, can drive nations to war. Control over vital resources, such as fertile land, water, or trade routes, can be a powerful motivator.

Assassination or kidnapping: A high-profile assassination or kidnapping can serve as a catalyst for war. This act could force one side to retaliate.

Religious/cultural differences: Deep-seated religious or cultural differences can lead to war. One group might feel oppressed or threatened by another, leading to an uprising or a holy war.

Personal vendettas: A personal vendetta between powerful leaders or nobles can escalate into a full-scale war, especially if they rally their followers to support their cause.

When to introduce the war:

Early introduction: Have the war present from the onset of your story it's central to your plot, so the rest of the narrative can focus on the consequences, battles, and the impact on your characters.

Rising action: Having a gradual build-up to the war by developing the political social tensions over the first part of your story allows for deeper character development and more detailed worldbuilding.

Midpoint: Consider starting the war at the midpoint of your story, marking a turning point in the narrative to drastically alter the direction of your characters' journeys.

Climax: Introducing the war as a climatic event is effective if you're focusing your narrative on the events leading up to the war. It can also leave room for sequels.

Ideal length:

Pacing: Balance action, dialogue, and description to maintain a steady pace. Alternate between intense battle scenes and quieter moments to develop characters and explore the impact of the war on their lives.

Relevance: The length of the war should be proportional to its importance in the overall plot. If it's the main focus, it should take up a significant portion of the narrative.

Scope: Consider the scope of the war: a small skirmish or a epic, continent-spanning conflict?

Character arcs: Ensure the war serves the character arcs and story goals—don't include it just for the sake of a plot element. The length of the war should also allow sufficient time for character development. Show how it personally affects your characters and how they grow or change as a result.

Subplots: Use subplots to add depth to the war narrative. Political intrigue, espionage, romantic entanglements, and personal vendettas can enrich the main plot.

Additional tips:

Make it personal: Connect the war to your characters' motivations and emotions. They may have a friend, family member, or significant other participating in the war, or you can make it impact them directly in some way.

Show the consequences: Depict the impact of war on civilians, soldiers, and the environment.

Research: Draw inspiration from historical wars and medieval history to add depth and authenticity.

Resolution: Plan for a satisfying resolution to the war. Consider the aftermath and how the world and your characters are changed by the conflict. This will provide a sense of closure to your readers.

Remember, the key is to make the war serve the story and characters, not the other way around. Thanks for asking! Hope this helped ❤

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[bitchalotl]

Harbingers in an unhinged modern-day AU I just cooked up:

Pierro - Bitter ex-minister of the German empire. Tried to prevent ww1 and failed miserably. Went into exile during the years of the Weimar Republic. Current prime minister of the Russian Federation.

Dottore - Infamous Egyptian scientist. Expelled from multiple universities due to faults against ethics. Currently wanted by the egyptian government. Fled the country with the help of the CIA. Later, they betrayed them for the KGB. May or may not have been involved in the creation of supersoldiers Capitano and Columbina as well as the tampering with decomisoned Android model Scaramouche.

Capitano - Early soviet attempt at the creation of a supersoldier following the devastation of ww2 and the tensions of the cold war. Unconfirmed involvement in the soviet invasion of Afghanistan during the 80s and the russian invasion of Ukraine.

Columbina - Escaped soviet experiment. Thought to be an attempt at a new generation of supersoldier. Abandoned after the collapse of the soviet union due to a lack of funding. Subsequently, It escaped russian facilities and presumably remained at large.

Arlecchino - French ww2 orphan. Recruited as a Paris based spy by the KGB during the cold war. Alleged mass murderer. Current director of russian espionage after allegedly murdering the previous director.

Pulcinella - Ex-communist sellout. Has been the mayor of Moscow for many, many years. Regularly accused of electoral fraud.

Scaramouche - Runaway android. Created by the founder of Shogun Robotics. Declared faulty and destined for decommissioning. Vanished from Japan years ago and may have been found in Russia and tampered with by Dottore. Shogun Robotics has since forgotten about this failed model and now produces the aptly named "Shogun" model.

Signora - Former German academic turned mass murderer following the death of her husband, who was a soldier in the French front of ww1. On an unrelated note, the russian ambassador to Germany has an uncanny resemblance to her.

Sandrone - Founder, CEO, and senior engineer of Marionette Technologies. Her technology and weapons manufacturing empire has the russian federation as its biggest client. Her personal information remains a mystery since she does not appear in public. Rival firm of Shogun Robotics.

Pantalone - Current governor of the Central Bank of Russia and former economy minister of the Russian Federation. Has a distinct and fierce hatred of Chinese economic policy. Labeled an oligarch by Western observations. The single wealthiest man in all of Russia.

Childe - Formerly a normal russian kid living in the Ural's region. He became extremely violent and bloodthirsty after an accident where he got lost in the mountains due to heavy blizzards. Eagerly joined the russian armed forces and has since become their poster boy. Has an unwavering loyalty for Russia and it's president.

Tsaritza - Current president of the Russian Federation. Her ancestors were nobility in the times of the russian empire. Is mockingly called "the Tsaritza" by political adversaries and Western press.

[zvaigzdelasas]

According to Tarshoun, the draft law imposes penalties ranging from six to 12 years in prison, with a fine ranging from 10,000 Tunisian dinars ($3,148) to 100,000 dinars ($31,482) against anyone who attempts to or participates in economic, cultural or military activities with Israel, the Tunisian MP said.

The draft law covers "crimes of espionage, supporting the Zionist enemy, and carrying weapons against the Palestinians, along with the crime of placing oneself at the mercy of the Zionist entity," Tarshoun added. 

The Sovereign National Line bloc, an alliance between the nationalist People's Movement and the leftist United Democratic Patriots Party, had submitted a bill in July to parliament criminalizing relations with Israel. If approved on Monday, the draft will then go to the president for final ratification before it becomes law. 

27 Oct 23

[merwgue]

Feyre, as the protagonist of the ACOTAR series, has committed numerous actions that could be considered criminal under real-world laws. Below is a breakdown of the crimes she could potentially be charged for, based on actions from each book, and the possible legal repercussions.

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR)

1.1. Poaching and Trespassing

Crime: Killing a faerie in the form of a wolf while on Prythian territory without permission.

Real-World Equivalent: Illegal hunting (poaching) and trespassing on private property.

Potential Sentence:

Poaching: 1-5 years, fines depending on the severity.

Trespassing: Usually a misdemeanor, resulting in fines or up to 1 year in jail.

1.2. Complicity in the Death of Faeries Under the Mountain

Crime: Indirect involvement in the deaths of faeries during the trials set by Amarantha, even though she was coerced.

Real-World Equivalent: Manslaughter (unintentional but contributing to the deaths through participation).

Potential Sentence: 5-15 years, though her coercion and duress could mitigate this significantly.

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2. A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOMAF)

2.1. Trespassing in the Spring Court

Crime: Entering and leaving the Spring Court without permission after forming ties with the Night Court.

Real-World Equivalent: Unauthorized entry onto sovereign territory.

Potential Sentence: Generally a misdemeanor, but with repeated offenses, it could escalate. Fines or up to 1 year in jail.

2.2. Destruction of Property (Spring Court)

Crime: Sabotaging and destroying part of the Spring Court.

Real-World Equivalent: Vandalism and destruction of property.

Potential Sentence: 1-10 years depending on the extent of damage, with potential fines or restitution.

2.3. Theft (Spring Court)

Crime: Stealing important information, documents, and assets from the Spring Court while pretending to be loyal to Tamlin.

Real-World Equivalent: Theft and espionage.

Potential Sentence: 5-15 years, depending on the value of what was stolen and its strategic importance.

2.4. Theft of a Magical Artifact (Summer Court)

Crime: Stealing Tarquin’s most powerful artifact, the Book of Breathings, from the Summer Court.

Real-World Equivalent: Grand larceny, theft of national/cultural treasures.

Potential Sentence: 10-20 years depending on the value and importance of the stolen artifact, including diplomatic consequences.

2.5. Involuntary Manslaughter (Tithe Refusal)

Crime: Refusing to enforce the Spring Court’s tithe, resulting in the death of the water-wraiths who depended on Feyre’s mercy.

Real-World Equivalent: Negligent homicide or involuntary manslaughter.

Potential Sentence: 5-10 years depending on the circumstances, though mitigating factors like lack of intent could reduce the sentence.

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3. A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOWAR)

3.1. Destruction of the Spring Court

Crime: Deliberately dismantling the political and economic systems of the Spring Court while acting as a spy for the Night Court.

Real-World Equivalent: Treason (though technically not against her homeland) or acts of war.

Potential Sentence: Life imprisonment or death penalty in certain jurisdictions, though a less extreme punishment could be 20-40 years for treason and sabotage.

3.2. Collusion and Espionage

Crime: Spying for the Night Court while pretending to align with the Spring Court.

Real-World Equivalent: Espionage.

Potential Sentence: 10-25 years for espionage, with potential fines and loss of any titles/rights in the Spring Court.

3.3. Accessory to Murder (Hybern Soldiers and the King of Hybern)

Crime: Being involved in the war efforts that led to the deaths of Hybern soldiers and the King of Hybern.

Real-World Equivalent: Accessory to murder or war crimes.

Potential Sentence: 15-30 years for accessory to murder, though wartime actions are often handled differently.

3.4. Imprisonment and Oppression of Illyrians and Hewn City

Crime: Complicity in the continued oppression of the Illyrians, including the mutilation of female Illyrians’ wings (although Feyre was not directly involved in wing clipping, her role in the Night Court hierarchy ties her to this systemic abuse).

Real-World Equivalent: Human rights violations, gender-based violence, illegal confinement.

Potential Sentence: 20-50 years for complicity in human rights abuses and gender-based violence.

Crime: Complicity in the continued imprisonment and oppression of the people of Hewn City, preventing their access to the privileges of Velaris and escaping abuse.

Real-World Equivalent: Conspiracy to perpetuate systemic discrimination and abuse.

Potential Sentence: 10-30 years, depending on the level of abuse and confinement they are subjected to.

4. A Court of Frost and Starlight (ACOFAS)

4.1. Illegal Occupation of Spring Court Lands

Crime: Continually crossing into Spring Court land and occupying or disrupting its governance, even in a non-violent way.

Real-World Equivalent: Trespassing, illegal occupation.

Potential Sentence: Fines, probation, or up to 1 year in jail.

5. A Court of Silver Flames (ACOSF)

5.1. Complicity in Abuse (Locking Nesta in the House of Wind)

Crime: Participating in the forced confinement of Nesta, who was struggling with mental illness, without a licensed mental health professional’s involvement.

Real-World Equivalent: Kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, endangerment of a mentally ill person.

Potential Sentence: 5-20 years, with charges depending on the level of harm caused to Nesta and whether it could be deemed abusive.

Summary of Potential Charges

1. Poaching and Trespassing: 1-5 years, fines

2. Manslaughter (Under the Mountain): 5-15 years

3. Trespassing in the Spring Court: Up to 1 year

4. Destruction of Property (Spring Court): 1-10 years

5. Theft (Spring Court): 5-15 years

6. Theft of the Book of Breathings (Summer Court): 10-20 years

7. Involuntary Manslaughter (Tithe Refusal): 5-10 years

8. Destruction of Spring Court: 20-40 years

9. Espionage: 10-25 years

10. Accessory to Murder (War Crimes): 15-30 years

11. Imprisonment and Oppression of Illyrians: 20-50 years

12. Complicity in the Oppression of Hewn City: 10-30 years

13. Illegal Occupation of Spring Court Lands: Fines, up to 1 year

14. Unlawful Imprisonment (Nesta): 5-20 years

Total Potential Sentence

If Feyre were to face all charges and be convicted, the total potential prison sentence could range from 122 years to life imprisonment, especially for the severe charges related to espionage, human rights abuses, and complicity in oppression.