#emb analyses

[ember-nby]

The ending of the Art Ending is a love poem for Stanley.

Okay, hear me out on this one.

What if Stanley is the essence of divine art? Like not physically but referred to as it by the Narrator in the ending. I know I sound insane, but hear me out:

There is a loooot of gay yearning in the game (part of the whole appeal). The Narrator isn't really the type to openly say "I love you" (yet?), so him basically hiding this in an ending makes sense, doesn't it? He even goes further and calls Stanley a work of art with(in) the ending.

We don't see the essence of divine art, we don't even hear it. Now this is also the case with the settings person/Timekeeper, considering that it technically speaks to us.

But what if it doesn't speak to us? What if it speaks to his creation - Stanley?

Its words are very cryptic while speaking to 'us', the settings person's/timekeeper's words aren't.

It's quite literally a (bizarre) love poem after all:

"Know that when you die, I will personally carry your spirit across the river blxwxn, into my garden built within the emotions of a flower There we will live together, we will dance and eat and sin and you will do improv comedy based on suggestions from me for all eternity

This is your reward for your work today Go now. Live your normal human existence and await me in the life that follows this one. I love you.

Under cut further analysis. TW: some religious symbolism

Now. What if this love poem is one written exclusively for Stanley?

The first paragraph talks about someone carrying another person into the afterlife - in my opinion:

Know that when you die, I will personally carry your spirit across the river blxwxn, [...]

The river is called "blxwxn" here which could either just mean 'blown' or just a name for the river. The "spirit" is maybe Stanley himself, not the player vessel, no - the actual Stanley. I'm not sure if this is even possible, but I'm also not sure if The Narrator actually thinks of this as a possibility - maybe this is actually him knowing of the unlikeliness of it.

[...] into my garden built within the emotions of a flower.

Now the 'garden' is supposed to symbolize the afterlife, right? But what if it's a sort of garden of Eden? What if this line The Narrator wants to tell Stanley that he would build a whole second garden of Eden for him?

Yes, we know that Stanley never really dies, but personally I think that the Narrator got a lot 'softer' in Ultra Deluxe. What if the most traumatic death endings (I would include the Zending here too) hurt him now so much that he would carry Stanley personally to a second garden of Eden/paradise that he built?

I'm not sure what ' the emotions of a flower' are supposed to be. It's probably symbolic for the way that The Narrator would carry him there - careful; like a delicate, fragile (in terms of easily damaged) flower

There we will live together,

The meaning of this one is pretty obvious. But personally I think they won't be able to actually live there. I think even if this garden exists, they would only be able to spend a certain (limited) amount of time in there - it's often implied/interpreted that the Parable has a life of its own.

we will dance and eat and sin

Now this one is especially interesting to me. While I personally am not christian, this has a very interesting parallel (once more) to the story of the garden of Eden from the bible. Adam and Eve had to leave the garden of Eden (-> paradise) because they ate the forbidden fruit - they sinned.

Now 'sinning' can have a ton of interpretations and has a very obvious sexual innuendo. But it's not just that, in my opinion. 'Sinning' could also mean not following the story - the whole 'reason' of the Parable.

They dance, they eat - things not possible in the Parable, things not meant to be possible. Things that could be considered a sin. Things that they could be thrown out of paradise for, things that could cause the Parable to throw them out of paradise for.

and you will do improv comedy based on suggestions from me for all eternity

At first I thought of this as another one of the silly things we see in TSP (and the silly lines of The Narrator), but the more I think about it, I realized that this is one of the most important lines in the whole poem; it's a love confession from The Narrator to Stanley.

This seems a little far fetched and it's also only my personal interpretation (as this whole analysis is) but my personal HC is that The Narrator isn't particularly fond of improv comedy.

He is, however, very fond of Stanley.

That means that he would watch Stanley do silly things for all eternity. Now, one could argue that a whole reset is no eternity, but for them it is.

If we think of them actually spending time with each other (in the form of Stanley himself), if we take that literally, then that is eternity for them.

They spend time actually together, a whole reset. Like I said, I think the 'spirit' is meant to be Stanley himself, the actual Stanley. For The Narrator this is heaven - paradise, even. The Narrator and Stanley spend time together, like described before. BUT The Narrator also spends the time that they have, eternity, by watching actual Stanley do silly things. Stanley, the real Stanley does the things he say, the silly things in a form of comedy The Narrator isn't fond of.

If that isn't an act of love and devotion (especially for The Narrator), I don't know what is.

(Again, you could disagree with me on that HC, or even my whole essay. That's completely fine)

This is your reward for your work today

I genuinely am not sure what is meant by this one, I'm just leaving that open for your personal interpretation. This could be The Narrator 'thanking' the player for playing the Baby game to its completion and giving him the chance to 'say' those words, idk.

Go now. Live your normal human existence and await me in the life that follows this one.

Now this one is also very interesting to me. The 'normal human existence' is nothing Stanley lives, but nevertheless - I think Stanley is meant with it.

What if the 'spirit' of Stanley, the real him, is in simulation that resembles an actual life? What if all the things we heard of this paradise - this garden - are genuinely not possible; the real Stanley is sort of 'locked away' by the Parable? What if all we heard was The Narrator's deepest desire to make this real somehow, even if it is (basically to actually) impossible?

The next part is The Narrator telling Stanley to await him in another life; one where they can be together, one where they actually can be in their garden, in their second garden of Eden. Where they can actually do all the things that would be/are impossible in the Parabel.

I love you.

And here we have The Narrator actually 'saying' those words, admitting to himself and to Stanley (and to the player?) that he does adore Stanley, that he loves him, cares for him and so much more.

I don't have much more to say about this verse and I don't think that I have to say much more regarding it.

There we have it, a whole analysis. Now you could have read this and think "This is utter bullshit, what are you talking about?" and that's alright! I just wanted to get those words out there.

Now, I want to note that I wrote the word "to say" in quotes. I did this because it's important to highlight that The Narrator doesn't really say it in his voice, he says it with a poem full of passion, yearning and feelings, he says it symbolically. I wouldn't say that he 'writes' it.

One hand he uses "The Essence of Divine Art" as a character, a sort of fake name, to hide his true feelings. This could be because he is too scared of truly admitting them, too scared of signing it himself. Too scared of binding "The Narrator" to it.

On the other hand it also could be a hiding strategy from the Parable itself, maybe the Parable would try to erase the poem otherwise. Another reason could be the fact that he isn't able to live out his fantasy like he wants to, attaching "The Essence of Divine Art" instead of "The Narrator" to it could be a sort of coping strategy for him, a way of living his dream as a fantasy in words, if that makes sense.

(Very likely it's even all of the reasons mushed together.)

But personally I also like to think that "The Essence of Divine Art" is another way of The Narrator confessing his love. He doesn't just call Stanley "art" (which he quite literally is) he calls him the essence of divine art. He calls this canonically average man not only "art", not only "divine", he calls him the "essence of divine", the "essence of divine art".

Alright, I truly don't have much to say anymore. I do want to thank my teacher that helped me to analyse poems in German class ) - she unknowingly awakened my love for poetry. That seems a bit unnecessary and weird but I really don't care, I want to thank her anyway.

So yeah, that's it! I had a lot of fun writing this and analyzing the tiniest things, maybe I'll do it again for something else TSP related sometime.

If anything seems weird in this, it's because I have a headache, I'm not a native speaker and I'm way too exhausted to look over this again. Thank you for your time.

[cleolinda]

Across Gaza, residential areas have been left ruined, previously busy shopping streets reduced to rubble, universities destroyed and farmlands churned up, with tent cities springing up on the southern border to house many thousands of people left homeless.

About 1.7 million people - more than 80% of Gaza's population - are displaced, with nearly half crammed in the far southern end of the strip, according to the United Nations.

Further analysis, by BBC Verify, reveals the scale of destruction of farmland, identifying multiple areas of extensive damage.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has said it is targeting both Hamas fighters and "terror infrastructure", when challenged over the scale of damage.

Now, satellite data analysis obtained by the BBC shows the true extent of the destruction. The analysis suggests between 144,000 and 175,000 buildings across the whole Gaza Strip have been damaged or destroyed. That's between 50% and 61% of Gaza's buildings.

[…]

"Israeli forces targeted residential complexes, especially in the downtown Khan Younis area," said Rawan Qaddah, a 20-year-old resident, who has been displaced and has lost contact with her family.

She named schools among the many buildings which had been damaged. Some were now being used to house displaced people temporarily.

[…]

The IDF has repeatedly justified its actions by noting that Hamas deliberately embeds itself in civilian areas and explained destruction of buildings in the light of targeting fighters. But questions have been asked about destruction of buildings seemingly firmly in the control of the IDF.

One example was the Israa University, in northern Gaza - initially badly damaged shortly before being blown up completely in what looked like a massive controlled explosion. The video was widely shared on social media and the IDF says the approval process for the blast is now being investigated.

Many of Gaza's historic sites have suffered extensive damage, including the al-Omari Mosque originally built in the 7th Century.

Mr Scher, one of the academics who worked on the Gaza damage assessment, said it stands out compared with other war zones he's analysed.

"We've done work over Ukraine, we've also looked at Aleppo and other cities, but the extent and the pace of damage is remarkable. I've never seen this much damage appear so quickly."

[mariacallous]

On October 20, citizens of the Republic of Moldova will head to the polls for a combined presidential election and referendum on joining the European Union. Ahead of these votes, Moscow has mounted a campaign to support pro-Russian candidates and parties, weaken incumbent President Maia Sandu, and slow Moldova’s moves to align more closely with Europe. Russian interference in Moldovan politics is not a new phenomenon: Moscow ruled Moldova for centuries and still considers it to be part of its exclusive sphere of influence, along with Belarus and Ukraine. For two decades, Russian President Vladimir Putin has sought to restore the influence that the Kremlin lost over Moldova after the Soviet Union collapsed, mostly without much success.

But Russia’s efforts to control the country have ramped up in recent years, especially since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Securing a more malleable, Moscow-friendly government in Moldova has, for Russia, gone from “nice to have” to “must have,” because an independent Chisinau is crucial to Ukraine’s capacity to defend itself. Ukraine shares a 750-mile southwestern border with Moldova. Currently, Kyiv does not need to devote significant resources to securing that border, and the Moldovan government has helped facilitate crucial flows of people, goods, and supplies out of and into Ukraine.

A Moscow-aligned or deeply divided Moldova, however, would dramatically alter Ukraine’s military and political calculations. Should Moldova fall back into the Kremlin’s orbit, whether by military conquest or by an incremental process of political domination, Ukraine’s trade and resupply capability through the Black Sea would be dramatically diminished. Moscow would have a much greater chance of prevailing militarily or of dictating disadvantageous terms during peace negotiations. And Russia’s ability and appetite to attack other neighbors, such as Armenia, Georgia, or the Baltic states, would only grow. In early 2022, Russian forces aimed to take Odessa, in southern Ukraine, and then to move on to Moldova’s breakaway separatist Transnistrian region. In mid-2022, Russian officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko, suggested that Moscow intended to take Moldova itself. When the Ukrainians halted Russian forces at Kherson, Moscow turned to hybrid actions such as sponsoring antigovernment demonstrations in Moldova, cutting gas supplies, and interfering in Moldova’s domestic politics to pursue the same end.

Many analysts present the October 20 election as a decisive tipping point. Because polling suggests that the pro-Western Sandu is quite likely to win and that the referendum on EU membership will obtain a 55–60 percent majority in favor of joining, such analyses already embed a celebratory conclusion: these outcomes will signal that Moldova is steadfastly resisting Russia’s influence campaigns and pursuing greater alignment with Europe. A September 30 Carnegie Endowment analysis, for instance, claimed that the elections will provide the “answer to the question of how much influence Russia retains in Moldova.”

But Moldova’s future—which has immense significance for Ukraine and the West—depends not only on the outcome of this single election but also on the much larger penumbra of meddlesome activities that Russia is engaging in to influence the country’s longer-term trajectory. In Moldova, the Kremlin is playing a long game. It seeks to divide Moldovan society along linguistic lines; to aggravate old ethnic fears and grievances; to infiltrate the Moldovan press; to buy off or sponsor local or parliamentary officials who, in turn, degrade trust in Chisinau; to discredit Sandu’s government; and, specifically, to force Moldova’s leaders to crack down harshly on Russian-funded proxies, thus opening themselves to accusations that they, in fact, are the people who seek to repress Moldovans and limit their freedoms.

In a sense, Moldova is now a second front in Russia’s war against Ukraine and the West—one fought not with bullets but with ballots and media broadsheets. And just as it was premature to proclaim that Russia had failed in Ukraine when it did not immediately capture Kyiv and oust Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in late February 2022, it would be equally dangerous to conclude that Russia has failed if it does not secure Sandu’s defeat on October 20. Moldova’s struggle to choose its own course will be a much longer fight—and one that the West must continue to support.

POINTS OF LEVERAGE

Since Moldova achieved independence from the Soviet Union, in 1991, debates over the country’s cultural and geopolitical orientation have dominated its domestic politics. A majority of Moldovans are Romanian-speaking and have generally supported center-right and right-wing parties that advocate integration into western Europe. But Moldova also has a sizable Russian-speaking population composed of ethnic Russians, Ukrainians, Bulgarians, Orthodox Christian Turks, and Russian-speaking Moldovans, among others. These Russian speakers have generally voted for leftist and center-left parties, many of which have a pro-Moscow orientation. This support was sufficient to give former President Vladimir Voronin and his Party of Communists a parliamentary majority from 2001 to 2009—and a plurality to its successor, the Socialist Party, for most of the period from 2014 to 2021. According to polling by multiple Moldovan NGOs, over 30 percent of Moldovans currently hold favorable views of Russia.

Moscow sees Moldova as vital for strategic depth to its southwest and to its security in the Black Sea basin. In 2003, Putin tried and failed to secure a direct, long-term, treaty-based Russian political and military presence in the country. Subsequent efforts toward this end also came up short. But the Kremlin has also sought to employ other levers of influence over Moldova. As Moldova has, until recently, been totally dependent on Russian natural gas for its energy supplies, Moscow has manipulated gas prices, supply, and debt to pressure Chisinau to adopt Kremlin-friendly policies. Although it is difficult to quantify the effects of this pressure, it has likely contributed to the continuing strength of pro-Russian forces in Moldova’s domestic politics. Additionally, for much of the post-Soviet period, tens of thousands of Moldovans lived and worked in Russia, and remittances from these migrants have been an important source of incomes for Moldovan families and businesses.

Another point of leverage is the media. The Russian-speaking segment of Moldova’s electorate remains attuned to and influenced by Russian language and culture—literature, art, music, films—and many Russian-speaking Moldovans continue to receive news primarily from Russian-language sources, including Russian state television, Moldovan and Russian websites, and social media. For years, the Kremlin has assiduously played on concerns—not always unfounded—that Chisinau will restrict or ban the use of the Russian language in schools, the media, business environments, and the procedures of the government. After independence, many of Moldova’s Romanian-speaking elites did express hostility toward the enduring presence of Russian culture and influence; in the early 1990s, some Romanian-speaking politicians would bid Russian speakers to leave the country with the slogan “Suitcase–train station–Russia!”

Although tensions between Russian and Romanian speakers persist, Moscow’s rallying cry against so-called Russophobia on the part of Moldovan leaders today is little more than a cynical scare tactic. But the incessant stream of exaggerations and outright lies that play on long-held fears and prejudices can be effective, if hard to measure. One recent poll by Watchdog.md, a Moldovan NGO, showed respondents evenly divided over whether Russia constitutes a threat to Moldova’s security. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s charge that the West intends to create a “second Ukraine” in Moldova has been picked up by Moldovan social media and political opposition, who claim that reelecting Sandu will result in a war with Russia.

Finally, Moscow has also tried to exploit the unresolved conflict in Moldova’s separatist Transnistrian region, a 1,600-square-mile narrow strip of land extending about 250 miles along the east bank of the Dniester River between Moldova and Ukraine. With a large population of ethnic Russians and Ukrainians (25 percent, respectively) and Moldovans, Transnistria declared its independence from Moldova in 1990. A brief war broke out in 1992; Russian President Boris Yeltsin’s military intervention on behalf of the separatists enabled Transnistrian leaders to preserve the region’s de facto independence. To this day, Moscow keeps a contingent of troops in Transnistria, wields influence over Transnistrian authorities, and uses its role as a mediator in ongoing negotiations to exert pressure on Chisinau.

Moscow wishes not merely to dominate the separatist region but to secure Moldova’s alignment with Russia, by whatever means necessary. The Kremlin supports pro-Russian political leaders and parties, in particular the Party of Communists and its successor, the Party of Socialists, which since the late 1990s have been the leading pro-Moscow parties in Moldova. Russian leaders likely do not seek to annex Moldova outright, presumably calculating that doing so would cost them influence with other independent post-Soviet states. And Russia has not recognized Transnistria’s independence, preferring to use the region as a foothold from which to exert pressure on Moldova. Rather, Moscow seems content for Moldova to assume the role of a formally neutral and independent—but practically dependent—ally, and it is willing to go to extreme lengths to secure this arrangement.

A WESTWARD TURN

Despite Russia’s efforts to shape Moldovan politics, over the past quarter century its influence over the country’s geopolitical orientation has waned.In 2001, Voronin and the Party of Communists’ decisive electoral victory appeared to signal a turn toward the East. But Voronin became disillusioned with Russia in the course of negotiations over Transnistria, and in 2003 he rejected Moscow’s proposed solution, which would have approved a long-term Russian military presence and provided the separatist region an effective veto over national policy. Two years later, Voronin initiated his country’s slow turn toward the West, signing an EU-Moldova Action Plan that provided for greatly expanded cooperation with Europe on a broad array of security, political, economic, and social issues. In the 2009 parliamentary elections, Moldovans elected a coalition of pro-Western parties explicitly dedicated to European integration. By 2015, Moldova had signed an EU Association Agreement, won visa-free travel to the EU, and established a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the EU.

For a few years, the country’s westward momentum was slowed by corruption and authoritarian inclinations among its leaders, as well as many Moldovans’ disillusionment with their country’s turn toward Europe. During the decade following the victory of the pro-Western coalition, most of Moldova’s state institutions were captured by the crooked oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc. Although he never held a top government position, Plahotniuc’s Democratic Party dominated the parliament and government through bribery, blackmail, and intimidation. Plahotniuc was one of the masterminds behind the theft of over a billion dollars—fully ten percent of the country’s GDP—from three Moldovan banks. He and other perpetrators have never been punished. But in 2019, Plahotniuc and his cohort were finally ousted from the parliament and government by a broad coalition.

The following year, Sandu’s strong, inclusive anticorruption campaign messages pulled the country back on a pro-EU course. Sandu won the presidency, and her Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) secured an absolute majority in the 2021 legislative elections. Sandu’s promise to pursue a pro-European course also contributed to her victory, as Moldovan polls throughout the previous decade showed at least 50 percent of respondents supporting a closer relationship with the EU.

Sandu did not immediately break with Russia. Initially, she adopted a conciliatory stance toward Moscow. But in August 2021, Dmitry Kozak, Putin’s deputy chief of staff, came to Chisinau with a proposal: Moldova could get low natural gas prices and Russia’s help in resolving the Transnistrian conflict in return for adopting favorable policies toward Russia, such as vowing not to pursue NATO membership. Sandu refused the deal. As a result, Moldova suffered a hard, cold winter in 2021–22, with exorbitant natural gas prices and uncertain supplies.

The war in Ukraine further damaged Moldova’s relations with Russia. Before the war, Moldova was already Europe’s poorest country, with a population of 2.5 million; Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine sent more than a millionUkrainian refugees streaming into the country. (More than a hundred thousand remain today.) Moscow denounced Sandu as a Western puppet. and in late 2022 Gazprom reduced the gas supplies it sent to Moldova, forcing it to seek alternatives, including importing liquefied natural gas from the United States. Inflation reached 35 percent and parts of the country suffered electricity blackouts.

MOSCOW’S LIMITED CAPACITY

Whether because of these developments or despite them, a majority of Moldovans now wish to join the EU. In response, Moscow has amped up its meddling in Moldovan politics, seeking to weaken or remove Sandu and her government. The Kremlin has concentrated its efforts on funneling funding to pro-Russian figures and parties through the Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor, who fled Moldova in 2019 after being convicted of fraud, money laundering, and other charges.

Shor now lives in Moscow. But over the past two years, a steady procession of Shor-affiliated Moldovan parliamentary representatives have visited Moscow and St. Petersburg for meetings with Russian parliamentary counterparts, government officials, and NGO representatives. At a meeting in Moscow in April, remnants of Shor’s party and several splinter parties formed an anti-Sandu coalition. Last spring, Moldovan authorities detained more than 100 Russian passengers arriving at Chisinau airport; each was carrying nearly 10,000 euros. Moldovan officials allege that the money had been designated for buying pro-Russian votes and paying anti-EU demonstrators—and that Shor had a hand in organizing the scheme. Ziarul de Garda, a leading Moldovan media outlet, recently published an account by an undercover journalist who related how Russian activists affiliated with Shor recruited and paid her to join anti-Sandu demonstrations. Ahead of the October 20 election, the Kremlin is advancing as many candidates as possible in the hope of keeping Sandu’s vote share below 50 percent, which would force a second round of voting. Moldovan and Western officials report that Russia is also sending millions of dollars in clandestine funding to Moldovan opposition groups and parties. Last month, according to senior Moldovan police officials, Russian banks sent over $15 million to more than 130,000 Moldovan citizens.

In 2020, Sandu’s victory was resounding, largely driven by voters in the Moldovan diaspora in Europe and North America, who turned out in unprecedented numbers. Now she is an incumbent with a record to defend. The ambitious anticorruption program on which she won in 2020 has yet to produce significant results. The COVID-19 pandemic, as well as Russia’s manipulation of natural gas prices and supplies, has produced considerable economic upheaval: Moldova experienced record inflation in 2022–23.

But it is unlikely that Moscow will achieve an actual regime change in Moldova. Sandu’s recent poll numbers (around 30–35 percent) are close to what she achieved at a similar point in the 2020 campaign, and she polls well ahead of all of her rivals. Shor and other Russian proxies have dangled the prospect of cheap Russian natural gas and the purported advantages of joining the Eurasian Economic Union, a Russian-led trade bloc that includes the post-Soviet states of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. But these appeals have mostly failed to attract voters, and none of Sandu’s challengers has a realistic chance of unseating her, even in a two-person runoff.

From 1992 until 2015, Moscow used its de facto control over the separatist Transnistrian region to pressure Chisinau. But for the past decade, and especially since February 2022, Russian authority in Transnistria has also been gradually eroding. In the immediate post-Soviet era, several large legacy enterprises dominated the Transnistrian economy. Today, a local conglomerate called Sheriff controls retail trade, media, and much else. Since 2015, Transnistrian businesses have participated in the free trade area that Moldova negotiated with the EU. This year, 80 percent of the region’s exports went to EU countries. Transnistrian officials and business leaders have told me privately that they are intrigued by Moldova’s prospects for EU membership.

Moscow has a limited capacity for launching military action from Transnistria. It still keeps about 1,500 troops in the region, but some 85 percent of them are local recruits—Russian-speaking residents of Transnistria—and their enthusiasm for the Kremlin’s broader geopolitical agenda is questionable. Additionally, Russia, with the financial assistance and monitoring of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, destroyed or otherwise removed its heavy weaponry from the region between 1999 and 2003. And in 2014, after Russia’s seizure of Crimea and attack on the Donbas, Ukraine closed its territory for transit of Russian military personnel, equipment, and weapons to the Transnistrian region. Russia cannot currently reach Moldova for resupply and personnel rotation. Moreover, Transnistrian authorities want nothing to do with Moscow’s military campaign against Ukraine. For a supposed Russian proxy, the region has been remarkably quiet about the war.

THE KREMLIN’S LONG GAME

It would be a mistake, however, to believe that Moldova’s future is secure if Sandu wins reelection. Because Moldova has a parliamentary system, the actual powers of the presidency are quite modest; the PAS’s majority in parliament has been indispensable to Sandu’s ability to shape policy and govern. Moldova’s parliament may well be the target of Moscow’s long game. The PAS appears unlikely to repeat its commanding 2021 performance in Moldova’s upcoming parliamentary election, which must be called before July 2025.

Even if overtly pro-Russian parties do not win a majority, the PAS may have to form a coalition. That may jeopardize the formation of a strong, stable pro-European government if the number of PAS deputies is reduced enough to force the party to align with centrist or center-left factions that do not have a strong pro-European record.The parliament ultimately controls all the institutional, legal, and policy changes that Moldova must make in its process of qualifying for EU membership. If the parliament becomes substantially friendlier to Russia, or even just more distant from western Europe, Moldova could slow or halt its fulfillment of various requirements to join the EU, thereby stalling or ending its candidacy for membership. Chisinau could also curtail cooperation with Kyiv in key areas such as securing their shared border and helping ensure the consistency of Ukraine’s energy supply.

Moscow’s influence campaign has not been limited to backing political candidates. Russia continues to flood both social and traditional media with disinformation. Moldovan NGOs have been tracking propaganda emanating from Moscow in the Moldovan press, revealing that the stream of disinformation into the country has steadily increased over the past two years. The Kremlin and its proxies seek to persuade Moldovan voters that the West caused the war in Ukraine, that Sandu’s government is corrupt and incompetent, that the EU will never really permit Moldova to join, and that the country’s westward trajectory will lead to war, as it did for Ukraine. Surveys of Moldovan opinion consistently show that as much as 40 percent of respondents believe these narratives.

Russia’s efforts have focused recently on Moldova’s ethnic Turkic Orthodox minority in the autonomous Gagauz region, playing on their fears of assimilation and losing their linguistic and ethnic identity, as well as their perception that successive Chisinau administrations have prevented the region from exercising all the rights afforded it under a 1994 autonomy agreement. Last year, Moscow financed the narrow victory of a Shor-backed candidate for governor of the region. Since then, Moscow has promisedthe region cheap energy, pension subsidies, and investment. In August, Shor opened an amusement park in the region. Gagauzia is too small a territory for a Russian takeover there to determine the direction of Moldova’s national politics. But it demonstrates a playbook that Moscow might use in other, more populous regions with large ethnic minorities and on the border with Ukraine.

Russia’s aggressive propaganda as well as its funding of opposition candidates has created a dilemma for the incumbent government: how to combat foreign interference without resorting to undemocratic practices. Since gaining independence, Moldova has enjoyed an admirable record of free and fair elections, despite Russian meddling. But as the Kremlin intensifies its interference campaigns, the Moldovan government is confronted with formidable participants in the political process who violate basic democratic rules of the road. Shor and other Russian proxies have relied on illegal foreign financing and vote buying, to name just two of the most egregious violations of electoral norms.

To address the issue of foreign interference in this election, Moldovan authorities have banned some Shor-backed parties and brought charges, such as illegal campaign financing, against some of his local political allies. In late 2022, the Moldovan government suspended the licenses of six television stations linked to Shor, on the grounds that they aired “incorrect information” about Moldova and the war in Ukraine. Last year, Chisinau also ordered local Internet providers to block more than 20 Russian websites; Moldova’s Security and Intelligence Service continues to identify and monitor Russian-backed Internet and social media outlets. Moscow, in turn, has cited these actions to denounce Sandu as authoritarian and undemocratic. Critics from Moldovan opposition parties and civil society also complain that the government unnecessarily extended a pandemic-era state of emergency to allow it to act by decree without normal political or judicial review.

THE FUTURE IS NOT YET WRITTEN

Moldova’s EU candidacy offers an opportunity to transform the country’s politics, society, and economy and to increase stability in the region. Although the EU granted Moldova formal status as a candidate for membership in 2022, there is no legal requirement for an immediate vote on this issue. Chisinau’s move to hold a popular referendum on EU membership concurrently with the presidential vote was strategic; it appears to stem from a desire to make Moldova’s course toward EU membership irreversible by embedding it in the constitution. Holding a vote on the EU is a risk. Referendums have failed in Moldova before, by either not gaining the required 50 percent or not meeting a turnout requirement of at least 33 percent of registered voters. But if the imminent referendum demonstrates widespread pro-EU sentiment, it will ensure a clear popular mandate for the government’s westward political course.

Since 1991, Moldova has moved away from Russia and closer to Europe. But this movement has not been uninterrupted or unidirectional. Historical voting patterns, substantial lingering sentiment favoring Russia and pro-Russian candidates, economic grievances, popular impatience with the government’s performance, and inflows of Russian money and disinformation could once again slow or reverse Moldova’s pro-European course. Moldova’s fate is important not only for Moldovans but for Ukraine’s struggle to resist Russian aggression and the future of Europe’s security. Russia’s military campaign in southern Ukraine clearly aimed to go beyond Odessa, to Transnistria and then to greater Moldova, where Moscow would likely have sought to secure a treaty-based troop presence. A full Russian military victory, extending into Moldova, could put Russian soldiers on the border with Romania.

After Russia invaded Ukraine, Washington increased its attention and assistance to Moldova, directing substantial support to the country’s energy security, infrastructure, independent media, local administration, military equipment and training, and other needs. No matter the outcome of the upcoming presidential election, these efforts need to intensify through 2024 and 2025. Both the EU and the United States can support Moldova as the country implements reforms to bring its public institutions up to EU standards, including key judicial and anticorruption reforms. Washington should also ramp up support for Moldova’s quest for energy independence from Russia, as well as for increased help in identifying and combating disinformation. Finally, Washington should intensify its push for a resolution to pressing issues between Chisinau and its autonomous Gagauz region and secessionist Transnistria.

Georgia was once moving on an enthusiastic pro-Western path but now seems to be sliding back into Moscow’s orbit. This may not now appear to be the most likely outcome in Moldova. But it is a dangerous enough one that Chisinau and its Western supporters must work hard to avoid it.

[tsreviews]

AI Calendarfly Review: The Revolutionary Appointment Scheduling AI App

AI Calendarfly Review: Features

Automated scheduling: Enables users to share their availability and allow others to book appointments or meetings at their convenience.

Integrations: It integrates with popular calendar platforms like Google Calendar

Customizable availability: Users can set specific availability windows for different types of meetings or events.

Team scheduling: Allows teams to coordinate availability and schedule group meetings.

Reminder notifications: Sends reminders to both organisers and participants before scheduled meetings.

Time zone detection: Automatically detects and adjusts for different time zones to avoid scheduling conflicts.

Customizable booking pages: Users can customise the appearance and content of their booking pages.

Analytics and reporting: Provides insights into scheduling trends and activity.

Group event scheduling: Enables users to set up and schedule group events or workshops.

Multiple meeting types: Supports scheduling of one-on-one meetings, round-robin meetings, and more.

Team scheduling: Collaborate with team members to coordinate availability and schedule group meetings.

Customizable reminders: Set up reminders to reduce no-shows and ensure all participants are informed.

Buffer time: Add buffer time between meetings to avoid back-to-back scheduling.

Round-robin scheduling: Distribute meeting requests across team members automatically.

Multiple event types: Create different types of events with varying durations and settings.

Web conferencing integrations: Seamlessly connect with virtual meeting platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.

Embeddable scheduling links: Easily embed scheduling links on websites or email signatures for convenient access.

Multi-language support: Provides support for multiple languages to cater to a diverse user base.

Advanced customization: Customise branding, colours, and logos to align with your brand identity.

GDPR compliance: Ensures data protection and compliance with privacy regulations.

Multiple time zone support: Display availability in different time zones for seamless scheduling across regions.

Reporting and analytics: Track and analyse scheduling data to gain insights and optimise scheduling efficiency.

Booking page customization: Customise booking pages with images, descriptions, and branding elements.

Group event scheduling: Facilitates scheduling group events with multiple participants at once.

User roles and permissions: Assign different roles and permissions to team members for effective collaboration.

Email notifications: Receive notifications for new booking requests, rescheduled meetings, and cancellations.

Recurring event support: Set up recurring meetings with options for daily, weekly, or custom frequency.

Time slot limits: Set limits on the number of bookings per time slot to manage availability.

Bulk scheduling: Schedule multiple meetings or events simultaneously for efficiency.

Availability preferences: Customise availability settings based on preferred days, times, and durations.

Participant questions: Collect important information from participants by adding custom questions to booking forms.

Team calendar views: View team members' availability and schedules in a consolidated calendar view.

Custom appointment types: Create unique appointment types with specific settings and requirements.

Event buffers: Automatically add buffer time before and after meetings to allow for preparation and follow-up.

Calendar blocking: Block off specific time slots for personal appointments or tasks.

Meeting links and details: Share meeting links and details automatically with participants upon confirmation.

Custom email notifications: Customise email notifications sent to participants with personalised messages.

User-friendly interface: Intuitive and user-friendly interface for easy navigation and scheduling.

Accessibility features: Provides accessible features for users with disabilities to ensure inclusivity.

Guest limits: Control the number of guests or participants allowed to book a meeting.

Profile management: Manage user profiles, settings, and preferences for personalised scheduling experiences.

Interactive dashboard: Access a dashboard with an overview of upcoming meetings, bookings, and analytics.

No Technical Skills Required 

24*7 Premium Support To Solve All Your Issues On-Time

Commercial Licence Included 

>>>>>>>>GET MORE INFO

[sucker717]

'is she a perfect ten? have you found christ again?' is the most delicious lyric I've heard in a long time and I would rather analyse that than do my English revision

[almechik]

Tangled Webs #1

Quinn was lost. Again. It wasn't her fault the building's plans chose form over substance, leading to an utterly confusing layout…one that wasn't close to consistent between departments. From flowery tunnels of the Nature department, through the non-euclidean staircases in Arcane, past the shrines and temple chambers of the Divine and finally arriving in the mirrors of Eclectic, reaching class as a freshman was an adventure in of itself.

She finally found her locker at last. After the brief session of bargaining with the lock, her books were free to fall into her hands, followed by something heavy and…purring? "Jade? You know i can't take you to class," Her familiar seemed quite intent to disregard her words, his feline, glimmering green eyes not even looking at her The cat has chosen to follow its own path, jumping into the sea of her black curls. After it took its time burrowing through her mane, the two emeralds would pop out over her shoulder, followed by a soft meow. "Okay, fine…why do you sit in my hair anyway, you can hide in shadows!" The cat's goals were beyond her understanding, mortals being such simple minded creatures compared to the grandeur of a feline.

Having sufficiently…worked towards a mutual understanding with Jade, Quinn closed her locker, briefly promising to sacrifice a pastry to the lock next time. As she turned around and started to walk with her pile of books, she encountered a wall. Wait, do walls say ‘ouch’? "Oh my gods I am so sorry," Poking her head past the books, she spotted the ‘wall’; an ashen grey crow girl, currently down on her butt and rubbing her break with the soft feathers of her beak. Her books immediately ended on the ground, sacrificed in favour of helping the girl up "I have…maybe just too many books. Sorry!" Usually she walked into actual walls, this was…less than convenient "Oh uhm right, I'm Quinn," As good of a time for an introduction as any, she thought.

Opening her eyes and fixing her glasses, the crow would look up at Quinn, accepting her hand. Off the ground now, patting her pants to get the dust off "It's okay…I should look where I walk more, honestly. I'm Adalynn," She rubbed her beak a bit more. It didn't appear to be broken, but the tough covers of Quinn's books seemed to put a small scratch on it, causing irritation…Quinn sure had introductions that went much worse than this…but on average, they did go better. "My pleasure" A soft, berry blush appeared on Quinn's dark skin," Are you hurt? Oh no, did I hurt your beak?" Before Adalynn could even respond, Quinn was already digging through her bag. Where was it…ah! She pulled out a little piece of gauze covered in something…sticky," I've been, uhm, practicing. It's a sticky plaster! It should make you feel better? " She believed that her forwardness and good nature would save her from the awkward situation…her beliefs were unfounded, sadly. "O-oh…It looks a little…weird? But I can see you're sorry…okay," Adalynn allowed the witch to apply the plaster, its white material sticking out like a sore thumb on her black beak. It did help, alleviating the irritation," Feels a little cold, how long should I keep it on?" She fixed her glasses again, smiling a little at Quinn. "Oh just about…uh…I forgot," She followed the recipe step by step, it worked, no one could blame her for not reading the footnotes. "I'll…keep it for the day then. Are you new here?” "First week, actually! " Quinn appeared…excited. One could almost see a little spark in her amber eyes. "Have you been here long?” "Just started the second year here, Eclectic Runecraft. What about you?" Adalynn tilted her head a little, trying to analyse Quinn ahead of her answer, "Eclectic Alchemy I'm guessing? Unless you got lost on your way to Nature. "Well…" Quinn looked away, appearing a little embarrassed, "Eclectic, yes, but…a little bit of everything, really. I'm a witch you see…say hi Jade!" The feline seemed unbothered by the request…though two green embers showed themselves through Quinn's hair, just for a moment, "He's my familiar, he's a little shy. We bonded because, well…He's curious about everything and so am I. I couldn't have chosen just one field to study!" As indicated by the pile of books on the ground, reaching her waist in its height. "Interesting! Don't meet many witches around here…you're not exactly known for engaging with structured education, what's your reason?" Adalynn's eyes and tone remained inquisitive. There was something interesting about Quinn, and she intended to understand it. "Well…" Truth is always best, even if it's silly, "I was curious about it? It's really cool so far…just confusing, can't find anything here.” "Ah, I see…well, what's your next class? I could help you find it?” "Oh, thank you so much! It's…uhm…" She forgot, completely, the unexpected meeting with the crow threw her off, "It's surely Ingredients and Gathering…or maybe Light Spells 101…actually, it could be Spirit Communing…” "You should have your itinerary scroll, right?" Adalynn asked, laughing softly at the girl and scratching the back of her head with her wing. Quinn seemed to have her head stuck in the clouds. "Oh yeah it should be around some-” The sea of curls spat out a scroll, green embers showing only for a moment, watching. Quinn bent over to pick it up, unrolling it and looking at her pocket watch, "Thanks, Jade. Okay, so it looks like right now I am…late for Introduction to Mirror Communication. Room 47…B?" The writing wasn't exactly easy to decipher, and for once it wasn't Quinn's fault, as the scrolls are written by the Department "Oh no, that's not a B, that's Beta," The crow leaned over to read from the scroll too. It appeared completely packed, with little to no free periods, "Good thing I caught that, you would end up on the opposite side.”

An awkward smile showed upon Quinn's face. Right, of course they wouldn't just use one alphabet, that would be too simple for the eclectics, whose leading philosophy in design appears to be "I'll worry about it later" "You're a lifesaver, good thing I ran into you, "Certainly the crow's beak didn't appreciate it as much as Quinn did, "I mean, uh, sorry again” "It's okay, I know what you mean. Are you planning on actually making it to the class? I can take you there," Adalynn offered to rescue the clutz from the clutches of mirrors and umbral portals spanning the Eclectic Department. Quinn's cheeks turned berry again, for but a moment, before she nodded, picking up her stack of books "I'd really appreciate it…especially since I could use another pair of eyes. Jade finds my stumbling too amusing to help," Soft meow emerged from her hair. It was just a meow, yet it felt like a mocking laugh, "See?” "Well you would have an easier time if you didn't carry your entire locker," Adalynn laughed softly, taking off books from the stack one by one until just one remained," Mirrors 101, that's the only book you need right now.” "It's not like I want to carry all of them…my lock is extorting me," She looked slightly to the side. Noone else seemed to have any problems with their lockers, even other freshmen. She must have had bad luck, courtesy of the black cat walking circles around her on a daily basis. "Is it now? Let me have a look," The crow approached Quinn's lock, whose maw stuck out its tongue, awaiting the promised pastry. She pulled out her katharite ink and quill, redrawing the lock's symbols, "Alright, that should do it. The sigils seem to have been a little damaged, so the lock became erratic. Try now?” Quinn didn't want to trust the lock, it bit her once already. she would nonetheless place faith in Adalynn's talents, reaching out. The maw opened smoothly and without arguments, granting her access to her locker fully

"Oh, thank you so much! That's so cool you can do that!" Quinn spent the entire week dealing with her lock already. Of course, logic said to talk to the janitor, or the department staff about it, but she already struggled to make it to class. She didn't dare to explore further. She would quickly stuff the redundant books back into the locker. It felt nice to know the books won't be gaining new chewing marks. "Okay Jade, hop in there," The lack of movement or sound gave a clear answer. ‘No’, said the feline, "Fine, but don't get me thrown out of class again.” "Ahem," Adalynn interrupted the pair," We've really got to go if you wish to make it to that class," Someone more focused than Quinn would have realised that packing her schedule that densely was a mistake. The witch quickly closed her locker and grabbed her bag, nodding at her new colleague "Right, lead the way.”

Having a lead put Quinn's mind at rest, though it didn't make the journey through the department any easier, or less…unnerving. Passing through a mirror, jumping down an umbral portal to reappear in the canopies of withering trees and finally passing through the bridge made out of music, they reached a small building, looking like a greenhouse made out of mirrors and crystals, 47 Beta written upon its door "I guess this is it, huh?" Quinn nervously scratched the back of her head, staring at the door. She made it, without any problems along the way. She better not get used to this feeling. "Yeah. I saw that your next class is in 11C, we passed it earlier, so you'll be fine," The crow reassured her, lightly scratching her beak as she did," If you don't then, well, I'm sure you'll run into someone else eventually," Green embers stared down the girl. It was his job to laugh at Quinn. Such insolence will be met with vengeance, in time "T-thanks," Quinn laughed lightly, "Well, see you later Adalynn.” "Oh, friends call me Ada," She smiled, fixing her glasses and turning around. "Right, see you soon Ada!" Quinn waved her off, turning towards the door, reaching for the knob. A sudden cacophony of chimes began to echo through the entire department, as people started to flood out of the classrooms. "I knew this went too well," She let out a heavy, frustrated sigh, pulling out her scroll, "Oh well, I'll just catch the next one. Hey, it's Ingredients and Gathering...now where the hells was 11C?”

[woolydemon]

What I need to do is like spend several hours analysing klavier's dialogue bc he talks like a Freak weirdo that doesn't know how human conversation works and I NEED TO EMBED HIS SPEECH PATTERNS INTO MY BRAIN

[ginuki-mga2023mi6021]

Screenplay draft 2

The biggest change in this draft is getting rid of the bathroom scene and instead replacing it with a scene of her heading to the exit of the building after escaping from the crowd in the hall. I also reduced the amount of questions shes asked so that it cuts to the chase instead of dragging it on and adds that extreme event that I wanted to incorporate into my film after analysing A24 movies.

I also adjusted the dialogue a bit to make it more natural and made sure each character had certain phrases that were used only by them a video I watched about character dialogue said it helps embed the dialogue seamlessly into the script and also adds character and personality into the character saying it. An example is Naruto, he says "you know" a lot at the end of the sentence and that quickly becomes a defining trait of his character as it shows how he wants people to understand him and tries to relate to them as well by assuming they would understand.

[memekjeslin]

​Step-by-Step-Guide-to quick ratey

RevWix is an online platform dedicated to providing comprehensive, unbiased product reviews across a wide range of categories, including electronics, home goods, health and beauty, fitness, fashion, and more. Its mission is to assist consumers in making informed purchasing decisions by offering detailed analyses and real-world user testimonials.

Key Features of RevWix

Honest and Unbiased Reviews RevWix emphasizes delivering impartial evaluations based on thorough testing and genuine user experiences. The platform ensures that its reviews are free from commercial influence, maintaining credibility and trustworthiness. ​

Comprehensive Product Comparisons To aid consumers in selecting the best products for their needs, RevWix offers detailed comparisons that highlight the pros and cons of similar items. This approach simplifies decision-making by presenting clear distinctions between products. ​

User Testimonials In addition to expert reviews, RevWix aggregates user testimonials, providing insights into real-world experiences with various products. These testimonials add an extra layer of authenticity and help potential buyers understand how products perform in everyday use.

Advanced Analytics and Integration For businesses, RevWix offers advanced analytics tools that provide in-depth insights into customer feedback, helping identify trends and areas for improvement. The platform also integrates seamlessly with other business systems, such as CRM and marketing platforms, streamlining workflows and enhancing the utilization of review data.

Customizable Widgets RevWix provides customizable widgets that businesses can embed on their websites to showcase positive reviews, thereby enhancing credibility and customer trust.

Conclusion RevWix serves as a valuable resource for consumers seeking reliable product reviews and for businesses aiming to understand and showcase customer feedback effectively. By combining expert analyses with authentic user testimonials, the platform facilitates informed purchasing decisions and fosters trust between consumers and brands

For more information and to explore their reviews, visit quick ratey

[datastringconsulting]

Encrypted Evolution: Homomorphic Market Soars to $519.3 M

What if you could crunch data without ever decrypting it? Homomorphic encryption (HE) makes that wizardry real—and the market is set to $519.3 million by 2035. By enabling operations on ciphertext, HE lets banks run fraud‑detection models on encrypted transaction logs, and hospitals perform AI diagnostics on secure patient data—no peeking required.

HE comes in flavors: Partially HE (PHE) for single operations, Somewhat HE (SHE) for limited depth, and Fully HE (FHE) for arbitrary computations. Today’s breakthroughs stem from optimized libraries—Microsoft SEAL, IBM HELib, Google FHE—paired with hardware boosters (IPUs, TPU extenders) that shrink runtimes from hours to minutes.

Financial institutions are early adopters, outsourcing encrypted risk‑analytics to cloud providers while shielding customer privacy. Pharma companies run encrypted genomic screenings, unlocking collaborative research without exposing IP. Public sectors pilot encrypted census and tax processing, promising citizen data security even in aggregated analyses.

Yet cost and complexity still bite: proof sizes can swamp networks, and developer talent is scarce. That’s why hybrid models—combining on‑premises preprocessing with cloud HE engines—are winning deals. Consultants package HE proofs alongside cryptographic key‑management services to smooth integration.

Growth is turbocharged by partnerships: cloud hyperscalers embed HE toolkits into PaaS offerings, while niche startups layer user‑friendly dashboards over cryptic IMS calls. Regulatory winds also favor HE—GDPR and CCPA lean on “privacy‑by‑design,” making encrypted computation a compliance superstar.

For tech leaders, jump‑start HE pilots in data‑sensitive domains: customer churn models, supply‑chain traceability, or encrypted AI inferencing. Track KPIs like performance overhead and compliance gains, then scale through modular HE microservices.

The encrypted evolution is underway—homomorphic encryption is turning data’s most guarded secrets into actionable insights, without ever lifting the mask. If you snooze, your competition will be doing business in ciphertext while you stay in the dark.

Source: DataStringConsulting

[finalexpensetelesalespro]

🎯 Master the Art of Sales: Track Your Closing Percentages & Record Every Call!

📈 Are you treating sales like a real business? Or are you still guessing why you're not closing more deals? If you’re in telesales, insurance, or any kind of high-ticket sales, it’s time to level up with a game-changing mindset:

👉 Track Your Closing Percentages. 👉 Record Every Sales Call. 👉 Study Your Own Performance.

These three habits separate top earners from the rest. If you're not doing them, you're leaving thousands on the table.

🎥 Watch The Video That’s Changing The Game:

➡️ Track Your CLOSING PERCENTAGES??? 💰 Record your sales calls??✅ Become A Student Of Sales? 🇺🇸📲

In this video, I break down exactly why documenting your sales activity and analysing your calls is non-negotiable in today’s competitive environment. You’ll get practical advice that you can implement TODAY to boost your results.

💼 Why This Matters

If you’re serious about success in final expense telesales, you need to become a student of the game. That means being willing to:

Track your closing ratios daily, weekly, and monthly

Record every conversation with prospects (for review and learning)

Eliminate bad habits and reinforce successful ones

Create repeatable systems based on what works

Too many agents and closers wing it. That’s not how you build long-term wealth.

🚀 Ready to Take It to the Next Level?

Visit my official site for more tools, strategies, and sales training: 🔗 https://finalexpensetelesalespro.com

Whether you’re a new agent trying to break in or a seasoned pro looking to close more deals, this site is packed with valuable content.

🔁 Share, Subscribe, and Join the Movement

If this video helped you—or if you're committed to becoming a top producer—do these three things:

Watch the video again and take notes.

Subscribe to the channel for more high-performance sales content.

Share the video with a friend or teammate who needs to hear this.

💰 This is the season to sharpen your skills and close like a pro.

📌 Quick Links: ▶️ Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/embed/qZXrIFjRXvA 🌐 Visit the website: https://finalexpensetelesalespro.com

#telesales #finalexpense #salestraining #closingdeals #salestips #insuranceagents #salesstrategy #closersonly #entrepreneurmindset #backlink #salescoaching #recordcalls #closingpercentages #salesgrind

[govindhtech]

Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition 25.1 Optimized for Agilex 3

Altera Launches Quartus Prime Pro Edition 25.1 for Agilex 3 FPGAs

Now available is Quartus Prime Pro 25.1, which supports Agilex 3, the latest Agilex release. Developers may design high-performing, power-efficient edge and embedded programs with this update.

Comprehensive Agilex 3 FPGA support

Agilex 3 FPGA family offers cost optimisation, high performance, and power efficiency for edge and embedded applications. This version lets you develop, test, and implement solutions faster with Agilex 3 higher-speed transceivers, on-chip dual Cortex-A55 ARM CPUs, and increased memory support, including LPDDR4.

For small board space applications, Agilex 3 uses Intel's variable pitch BGA packaging to design more efficiently and compactly. With this technology, developers can maintain performance and power efficiency while adding functionality to smaller spaces.

Security is essential for FPGA applications to protect sensitive data and IP. Agilex 3's physical security, authentication, and encryption capabilities strengthen designs' manipulation and assault resistance.

Nios V Soft Processor Enhancements

Nios V is vital for embedded applications and improves efficiency and performance. These improvements allow developers to make smaller, more efficient embedded devices.

Improved Nios V/g Core Performance Improved work completion and overall performance.

Nios V/c Core Area reduction saves 8% space, leading in smaller designs.

The Ashling RISCFree IDE's Visual Studio Code plugin simplifies Nios V software development.

TinyML Example Design with Nios V Application Note lets developers add machine learning (ML) to FPGA designs utilising microcontrollers.

Features of Embed Software

FPGA-based embedded applications need strong OS and virtualisation support. By adding Linux, RTOS, and hypervisor support, Quartus Prime Pro 25.1 lets developers build scalable, real-time, and virtualised embedded systems.

Linux Hardware Reference Designs Regular and standard editions for Linux development.

To support Xen, developers can virtualise FPGA programs.

RTOS supports Zephyr and Bare Metal, and FreeRTOS will arrive in Q2 (May).

Installer Improvements: Faster, flexible configuration

FPGA software should install and adapt easily. Quartus Prime Pro 25.1 improves installation with parallel processing, configurable component selection, and file management.

Installation in Parallel speeds up setup by installing many components simultaneously.

By letting users choose just the bits they need, Dynamic Components decrease installation time and disc space.

Troubleshoot hardware quickly with streaming debugging

Effective debugging reduces development cycles. The Streaming Debug IP for Signal Tap helps engineers debug FPGA designs by capturing real-time, high-bandwidth data.

Hardware debugging streaming allows real-time data flow for analysis.

Configurable streaming via STP Signal Tap Logic Analyser configures streaming and selects a debug host.

Simulation Enhancements

Quartus Prime Pro 25.1 improves integration, long-term support, and simulation with new native Altera AXI4 Bus Functional Models (BFMs).

Optimised for Quartus simulation workflows, native Altera AXI4 BFMs increase performance and compatibility.

Smooth Change With better toolchain integration, customers may switch to Altera AXI4 BFMs without substantial modifications.

Quartus Prime Pro 25.1 improves simulation performance, notably for transceiver protocol IP, enabling faster debugging and verification.

Better Transceiver Protocol IP simulation enhances PCIe, Ethernet, Serial Lite, JESD, and other transceiver protocols.

25.1 Beta Models The new simulation models for this edition focus on Ethernet and PCIe and are under beta testing.

Improved Efficiency Usually, 50% or more improvements speed up verification and reduce simulation time.

These simulation additions improve Quartus Prime Pro 25.1's transceiver-based FPGA design capabilities by speeding up simulations and reducing verification time.

Extra Quartus Prime Pro 25.1 Updates

QPDS Standard & Pro Containerised Images Docker Hub offers Quartus Prime Standard and Pro Editions containerised, simplifying deployment and improving cloud and CI/CD compatibility.

Separating timed closure data from Design Assistant results simplifies failure classification in Summary of Design Closure.

SDC Relative File Paths improve portability and script management for Synopsys Design Constraints (SDC) reports.

MTBF improvements It lets users adjust instance toggling rates to improve MTBF when default toggle rates are not suitable.

Static timing analysis improvements in Quartus Prime Pro 25.1 speed up timing problem identification and resolution.

Synthesis supports basic Quad-Port RAM. Automatic quad-port RAM inference expands memory design flexibility.

Complete Support for Byte Enable Inference in Synthesis: This adds 8-bit byte enables and supports 5, 8, 9, and 10-bit combinations, matching hardware capabilities.

Correcter Management Users can now write individual bytes within a word using the byte enable control signal to increase memory access and performance.

Better RAM inference lets designers use FPGA memory more readily.

FPGA AI Suite: Improved Usability and AI

As AI advances, FPGA-based inference systems must be more flexible and effective. This release includes better performance estimation, model support, and Agilex FPGA integration.

Support Agilex 3 Beta FPGA AI Suite beta supports Agilex 3 FPGAs. Build in Quartus with Agilex 3 and generate Inference IP targeting Agilex 5 in the architectural configuration file.

The RPM and DEB packages are now called “altera-fpga-ai-suite-” and the AI Suite is installed in “/opt/altera” instead of “/opt/intel”.

YoloV7 Model Support enables high-accuracy object recognition in robotics, surveillance, and industrial quality control.

Agilex 5 FPGA E-Series Example Design Support New Agilex 5 FPGA E-Series 065B Modular Development Kit sample designs are available.

This SoC example uses an ARM host CPU for AI inference. AI Inference IP and a novel layout transform enable folding and run-time configurability to improve AI model performance and usability.

Example of Hostless JTAG-Attach Design A system console linked to the Inference IP via JTAG allows users to setup and control IP functionality step-by-step.

Performance Estimator Uses Memory Bandwidth Users may now define external memory bandwidth when designing for memory-limited devices like Agilex 5 and Agilex 3, improving accuracy.

OpenVINO 2024.6 Integration FPGA AI Suite 25.1 uses the latest OpenVINO 2024.6 for stability and maintainability.

For two years, Quartus Prime Pro versions will only include the Long-Term Support AI Suite, which uses new optimisations and performance improvements.

FPGA AI Suite 25.1 simplifies FPGA AI inference with faster performance, more example designs, and greater model support.

Quartus Prime Pro 25.1 IP Features

After adding Agilex 3 IP cores and upgrading Agilex 5, Quartus Prime Pro 25.1 delivers real-time data processing, flexible memory access, and rapid connectivity for many applications.

Agilex 3 IPs

Agilex 3 has a wide range of memory, processor, and connectivity IPs for low-cost applications:

1.25 Gbps LVDS and MIPI D-PHY high-voltage and fast adaptable I/O Assistance interfaces.

PCIe 3.0, 10GE Hard IP, and 12.5Gbps transceivers ensure high-bandwidth applications.

LPDDR4 provides cost-effective embedded memory up to 2133 Mbps.

HPS EMIF ensures tight ARM Cortex integration.

HD Image and Video Processing Our VVP package accelerates video and vision processing applications.

JESD204B for Synchronising Data Converters synchronises 12.5Gbps multi-channels accurately.

The Transceiver Toolkit for Advanced Debugging improved transceiver link testing and debugging.

Agilex 5 IP updates

Performance and flexibility enhancements to Agilex 5 series IP include:

PMA-Direct real-time adaptive reconfiguration of multiple configurations

PCIe 3.0/4.0 Multi-Channel DMA supports x2/x4 Root Port (RP) and Endpoint (EP) modes.

Agilex 5 D Series enabled 12.5 Gbps per serial channel in Interlaken for scalable data transport.

Transceiver Toolkit 17.16 Gbps JESD204B Advanced Debugging ensures rapid, accurate data flow.

Dual-Simplex Mode Protocol JESD204C expands high-speed ADC/DAC interface for more advanced signal processing.

O-RAN IP: Supports 15–240 KHz subcarrier frequencies and real-time spacing changes via control messages. Scalable and conserved digital power.

The Agilex 3 and Agilex 5 FPGAs are ideal for embedded, networking, and AI-driven applications due to their performance, efficiency, and adaptability.

Conclusion

Quartus Prime Pro 25.1 improves Agilex 3 support, debugging tools, AI acceleration, IP cores, and usability. Optimisation for embedded apps, high-speed interfaces, or AI workloads is faster, more efficient, and more flexible with this version.

[ellagrace20]

Maximizing Business Potential with Diversity Spend Capture

Supplier diversity is no longer just a checkbox for corporate responsibility—it’s a powerful business strategy. Companies that actively invest in Diversity Spend Capture are not only meeting compliance requirements but also gaining competitive advantages, fostering innovation, and building resilient supply chains.

But how can businesses go beyond just tracking diversity spend and truly optimize it for growth? Let’s explore.

Why Diversity Spend Capture is a Game-Changer

Companies that prioritize supplier diversity don’t just improve their social impact; they also strengthen their business in multiple ways:

📊 Compliance & Contract Eligibility – Many industries, including government and Fortune 500 companies, require businesses to meet supplier diversity quotas to qualify for major contracts.

💡 Innovation Through Diverse Partnerships – Working with diverse suppliers brings fresh ideas, new perspectives, and unique solutions that drive business success.

📈 Increased Market Reach – A diverse supplier base can open doors to new customer segments, expanding brand influence and revenue potential.

🔄 Stronger & More Resilient Supply Chains – Relying on a single supplier pool increases risk. A diverse vendor network improves adaptability during disruptions.

How Businesses Can Optimize Diversity Spend Capture

To fully leverage the benefits of diversity, spend, businesses need a structured and strategic approach. Here’s how they can enhance their supplier diversity initiatives:

1. Analyse Current Supplier Diversity Metrics

Understanding where your business stands is the first step. Companies should conduct an audit of their current supplier relationships to measure diversity spend and identify improvement areas.

2. Verify Supplier Certifications

Diverse suppliers should be certified by recognized organizations such as: ✔️ National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) ✔️ Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) ✔️ Local and international diversity certification bodies

Accurate certification data ensures compliance and maximizes the impact of diversity spend programs.

3. Embed Diversity in Procurement Strategies

A proactive procurement approach is essential for effective diversity spend capture. Businesses should: 🔹 Expand outreach to diverse suppliers 🔹 Develop tiered diversity spend programs 🔹 Set clear diversity spending goals and track progress

4. Support & Develop Diverse Suppliers

Beyond spending, companies can help diverse suppliers grow and scale by: 🔹 Offering long-term contracts and partnerships 🔹 Providing mentorship, training, and funding opportunities 🔹 Encouraging large vendors to subcontract to diverse businesses

5. Utilize Technology for Tracking & Reporting

Advanced analytics and procurement software can help businesses track, analyze, and report diversity spend in real time. This ensures transparency and allows for continuous optimization.

Final Thought: Turning Diversity Spend Into a Competitive Advantage

Diversity Spend Capture isn’t just about tracking numbers—it’s about driving meaningful business growth. Companies that prioritize supplier diversity gain access to innovation, strengthen their supply chains, and unlock new market opportunities. The key is not just meeting diversity quotas but actively integrating diverse suppliers into long-term business strategies.

How is your company approaching supplier diversity?

[fitzinabox]

AI Chatbots for Businesses: Enhancing Automation & Customer Engagement

As artificial intelligence continues to transform digital interactions, businesses are exploring AI-powered tools to enhance customer service, streamline operations, and boost sales. Whether you’re looking for an AI chatbot customer service solution, exploring websites like ChatGPT, or researching GPT-4 API pricing, AI chat tools are now a necessity for modern businesses.

Building an AI Chatbot: The Future of Customer Support

For companies aiming to automate conversations, learning how to build a chatbot is essential. Platforms like Pinecone AI and custom AI models allow businesses to create bots that handle real-time queries, reducing response times and improving efficiency.

Steps to Build an AI Chatbot:

Identify Business Needs – Whether it’s a company bot for internal communications or a website bot for customer engagement.

Choose a Model – From GPT-4 API pricing to Gemini AI pricing, selecting the right AI framework is crucial.

Embed AI Into Existing Platforms – Use iframely embed tools or embed PDF in email for better content integration.

Optimise Performance – Analyse data sources icons and refine AI responses for better accuracy.

AI Chatbot Tools & Alternatives

While ChatGPT website free offers a basic AI chat tool, businesses often seek an alternative to ChatGPT for enhanced functionality. Some options include:

AI Sales Agent – AI-driven solutions that automate lead generation and sales interactions.

ID Mobile Chat Bot – AI-powered chatbot services for mobile networks and support teams.

Free Bots for Instagram – Automate engagement and customer queries on social media.

Understanding ChatGPT Limitations & Costs

While AI chat tools are powerful, they have some constraints. Understanding ChatGPT free limitations and GPT-4 token limits ensures businesses make informed decisions when selecting AI chat solutions.

Key Considerations:

ChatGPT Free Alternative – Evaluate tools offering unlimited usage beyond ChatGPT 4 trial.

ChatGPT vs Other AI Models – Compare features, pricing, and performance.

ChatGPT API Cost – Understand potential subscription and invoice costs when using OpenAI invoice services.

AI Chatbots for Sales & Customer Service

AI-powered chatbots are redefining customer service and sales automation. By implementing a chatbot logo into your branding or integrating AI chatbot customer service solutions, businesses can ensure 24/7 assistance and real-time support.

AI Chatbot Benefits:

Unlimited ChatGPT Interactions – Reduce manual workload with unlimited ChatGPT queries.

Embed PDF in Email – Share AI-generated reports and documentation easily.

Homebase Sign Up – Automate employee or client onboarding processes.

Get Started with AI Chatbots Today

If your business is looking for an AI chat tool, custom AI chatbot, or a chatbot for sales automation, Aisentr provides cutting-edge AI-powered solutions tailored to your business needs.Explore our chatbot services at Aisentr and start enhancing your customer experience today!

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Defining Digital Forensic Examination and Analysis Tools Using Abstraction Layers – Analysis Abstract The objective of this paper is to examine the research conducted by Carrier (2003). The author's central purpose and methods utilised to achieve this purpose will be examined. This will be achieved by systematically reviewing the observations and assessing the theories used. Besides that, the techniques used will be reviewed and how they were performed. This paper will also review the type of data Carrier (2003) attained using these techniques and how he interpreted the date. More importantly, this paper seeks to determine the objective evidence that was achieved from the efforts of the author and try to relate the interpreted results with the original problem. The paper will also seek to establish whether the research offered new understanding and reliable information regarding in the field of digital forensic examination. Introduction Carrier (2003) paper addresses a number of problems in the research; for instance, they utilise abstraction layers to identify where digital forensic tools can bring in errors and offer requirements which the tools have to follow. Besides that, the author defines the forensic analysis types’ categories in terms of abstraction layers. According to the author, the results generated by the existing digital forensic tools can be utilised successfully in prosecutions; however, they do not have designs which were formed with the needs of forensic science. Although they allow the investigator to access evidence, they do not offer access to techniques that could be used to verify the reliability of the evidence. Therefore, Carrier (2003) tries to provide a solution to these problems. The objectives that are expected from the research include: To offer tools that could be used to analyse data and extract evidence. To define the tools for digital forensic analysis and offer discussion regarding abstraction layers To describe how all data can be presented accurately at an abstraction layer and also provide a format which could be utilised effectively by the investigator in identifying evidence. To analyse the role of the tools while conducting digital forensic analysis The research assumption was rooted in the fundamental notion of abstraction layers. According to Carrier (2003), in every form of digital data there exists an abstraction layer; for that reason, the discussion of the error types, properties, and definitions of abstraction layers when utilising in the digital forensic examination is new. Background The author has provided a reference list with the objective of providing the readers adequate information that would enable them to locate as well as verify the sources that have been used. Clearly the author offered complete and accurate information for all sources that he has cited. To embed his own work in the related literature, the author has cited the related work in the text and has also listed all the references that have been cited at the end of his paper. He has followed the simple rule of research writing that all the cited sources have to be listed. By referencing his work, the author has acknowledged the other researchers and writers contribution in his work. The author used journal papers, conference papers, and workshop papers to offer evidence that supports his claims as well as assertions. He enables the readers to effectively trace the sources of the information used. The author sourced his data from eight sources; the first cited paper is a workshop paper by Brian Carrier which was published in Syracuse, New York in 2002. The second paper is a journal paper by Eoghan Casey published in the International Journal of Digital Evidence in the summer of 2002. Read the full article

[miskinmusic24-25]

Concept Research Task

Once you have read the companies personal manifestos on the WIX LInks above this post

You can begin the research task below.

THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL TASK

Next Friday (21st), you will individually be presenting an idea that could work as a concept for your FMP

Before you start putting that together you will need to find value from other places. Please post this onto your new WIX template Under the ‘CONCEPT RESEARCH’ Tab which drops down under Pre-Concept Tasks

There are many ways that this project could be approached. Existing Music, Concept albums, Television Programmes, Festivals, Art Installations, Movies, Gaming, Literature.

Think Stories, emotional journeys, fantasy, history, society, politics, areas of music and other art. Think outside of the box. As we want this to be a ‘show’ over two nights to a seated audience. This means that the audience can be engaged in some different ways from just being at just a gig.

Reflect upon at least two pieces of research that you have analysed.  For each one find effective techniques/devices  (describe what is effective about them)

Make sure that at least one of the areas of this research involve the use of a screen

Below are some examples that you could use (but be sure to find at least one of your own also)

Embed footage for each piece of research and make reference to any points of interest/ideas/devices that may be of use to the company looking forward to our own FMP idea