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2008.05.07 19:49 Fitness

A place for the pursuit of physical fitness goals. Please see the Fitness Wiki and FAQ at https://thefitness.wiki for help with common questions.
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2014.06.01 00:46 Mahoganyjoint Grand Theft Auto V PC

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2012.01.18 05:08 coolest_username r/XFL on reddit: XFL Football Discussion

The XFL merged with the USFL to form the UFL. Please join us over at /UnitedFootballLeague to continue discussing spring football!
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2024.05.14 15:43 HYP3B34ST1 How to best use ∼$20,000 in savings to pay of student loans as an incoming resident.

My wife and I have around 20k in savings and recently couples matched together in a LCOL area. She has $67,000 in student loans that we were wanting to pay off in the smartest way possible. Our loan's grace period will end around December 2024. She will be in training for 4 years and I will be done with residency in 6. During residency, our total combined salary for PGY-1 will be $121,000. Our goal is to minimize interest payments and pay the loan off FAST after my wife becomes an attending.
From reading this subreddit and other forums, we had thought that the SAVE plan may be a good option for us to combat interest payments. We filed taxes this year without any income to drive down payments as low as possible for the first year of residency. After this year, we will file MFS in order to minimize monthly payments.
As for the cash we currently have, it is sitting in a HYSA with 5% APY. With an investment time horizon of about 4-5 years, we were wondering what the best form of investing/using this money would look like The way I see it some options are:
1.) Make a $20,000 payment up front during our grace period to shrink the principal to 47k?
2.) Leave it in a HYSA (had heard that the 4-5% yields may not last much longer so unsure about this).
3.) Open a brokerage account and invest it all into index funds hoping for growth and then withdraw after wife become an attending.
4.) Invest in shorter term options like treasury bills repeatedly.
5). Some combination of all of the above???
Any thoughts on optimal strategy and critiques to our plan are welcome! Thank you!!
submitted by HYP3B34ST1 to whitecoatinvestor [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 15:43 Philothea0821 My Biggest Problems with Protestantism

I want to take a moment to list out some of my most challenging problems with Protestantism according to what Scripture says, in no particular order. It is not a comprehensive list of all of the problems that I have with it, but having these answered would go a long way to me taking Protestantism seriously from a theological viewpoint.
We should rely on our own personal interpretation of Scripture
And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Here, Peter is saying PAY ATTENTION TO THE CHURCH!!! Listen to what the apostles are teaching and allow that to form your reading of Scripture. If you read the rest of this chapter, He says that "we" (the apostles) have had given to them, "all things that pertain to life and godliness" through knowledge of Jesus Christ. When we read Scripture, we should not read it solely with our own understanding, but allow ourselves to be taught by the apostles (or those appointed by them as successors).
When it comes to Sola Scriptura, I do not see how it is not relying on one's own personal interpretation. How do I know that I am understanding Scripture correctly? How do I know that I do not have an interpretation that is horribly off base? I have never really gotten an answer to this from Protestants.
If I am debating Scripture, according to Protestants, I am debating the sole highest authority. So if I test my interpretation against something else, I am testing against a lesser authority and thus it can still be challenged and I have not sufficiently solved the problem.
We only need to declare Jesus as Lord to get to Heaven
“Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Here Jesus flatly says professing that Jesus is Lord is not enough to get you into Heaven, but doing the will of the Father. Yes, we are saved by faith through grace. If you get baptized and are shot dead the moment you walk out of the church, you will go to Heaven having done nothing except making that "leap of faith." If you are in a car crash and have a minute to live and all you can do is place your trust in Jesus, yes, you will be saved. But for 99.99999% of people, this is not the case. We have our entire lives to live after baptism. So the question is "Do we live according to what we profess with our mouth?"
If I say "I am an Orioles fan." but only ever go to/watch Yankees games and only ever root for the Yankees, would you say that I am actually an Orioles fan? Do I not call into question that statement that I made by my actions? What if I grow up as an Orioles fan, regularly attending games and watching them daily. But then later, my favorite player gets traded to the Yankees and I convert to a Yankees fan. Was I never an Orioles fan to begin with? No. That would be silly. I was an Orioles fan, but then became a Yankees fan.
Likewise, if I say "I am a Christian and believe that Jesus rose from the dead." But I never attend Church, I am not loving others, I am worshipping other gods, etc. Am I really a Christian? Maybe I was at one point, but I certainly am not now based on what I have done.
As such, yes, it is true that works do not save us, but if we act contrary to what we believe, we cannot have assurance of our salvation. Hopefully God still finds a way to bring us to Heaven. I would rather someone spend 1000 years after death having their soul purified knowing that they will go to Heaven then know for a fact that they are in Hell. Even so, we must recognize that Hell is real, it is a real possibility.
Baptism does not save
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.
I have ZERO idea where some Protestants get this idea from. The idea that Baptism is not salvific is not at all Scriptural. This really ties into the "Sola Fide" bit of this post.
The Eucharist is merely symbolic
I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread\)c\) which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”\)d\) 53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; 54 he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live for ever.” 59 This he said in the synagogue, as he taught at Caper′na-um.
Jesus flat out says "This bread that I am talking about here is my flesh." So the disciples challenge Him saying "You mean this figuratively right?... RIGHT?
So Jesus responds repeating himself over and over in verses 53 through 58. How many times does Jesus need to say something for you to believe it? You will latch on to a singular verse that teaches something you agree with (or seems to) for dear life at the exclusion of literally any other verse on the topic, but something else is taught multiple times and you don't believe it? I am confused about how Protestants read the Bible. It does not seem to be in any kind of coherent exegesis.
You are allowed to get divorced and remarried... at all.
“Every one who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.
But Jesus said to them, “For your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,\)a\) 8 and the two shall become one.’\)b\) So they are no longer two but one.\)c\) 9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.”
He said to them, “For your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity,\)c\) and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries a divorced woman, commits adultery.”
A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If the husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.
Marriage is "until death do us part." The teachings on divorce from the Gospels is trying to set a trap for Jesus to see which rabbinical school he agrees with. Jesus comes out and says. "Neither." He says "Yeah. Moses allowed for divorce. But this is not how it was from the beginning. What about that "except for unchastity" phrase in Matthew (and only Matthew)?
There Matthew is talking about unions that God did not join together. He is talking about invalid marriages that his primarily Jewish readers would have been thinking about. The gentile converts to Christianity would not have thought about these weird situations, so this is excluded from the other gospels.
You can get re-baptized
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Some that want to say that you can get rebaptized jump to Acts 19. Reading this passage, it would seem that what is going on here is that the Baptism by John was not in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Paul is essentially saying that the "baptism" that they had received was not valid. He does not say that he "baptized them again into Christ." Rather it says that Paul "baptized them in the name Jesus Christ." As in they were not baptized into Christ, so Paul baptized them "for real this time."
You can only be cleansed from Original Sin once. After that, you can confess your sins and have them forgiven. Baptism is what makes into a child of God. That can only happen once. To do otherwise is a grave sin because you are saying that God was not powerful enough to save you the first time. Again, if a baptism is deemed to be invalid, this is a different story. This is why Paul asks "Into what were you baptized?"
The Church is simply the collection of believers
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Here it is clear that the "Church" is something more than a collection of believers. Jesus teaches here that first, you deal with disagreement 1 on 1. If that does not work, you go and get other believers to help show that they are wrong. If that does not work, then take to the Church. If even that does not work, they are to be treated as an unbeliever (excommunicated).
Certainly, all believers are a part of the Church - which is the body of Christ. The Church is not a parish or a singular building. The Church is universal, but there is a clear structure to it. There are priests, bishops, elders, etc. There is real authority in that structure. This article goes over in Scripture and towards the bottom the Church Fathers what the Church is meant to look like: https://www.scripturecatholic.com/the-biblical-church/
Many Protestant ideas sound nice, but I do not want to believe something merely because it sounds nice. Dessert for dinner sounds nice but it is not good for my body. Likewise, we should not judge something on "does it sound nice." We should judge something on whether it is good for our souls.
I look at many Protestant theological views and note how they seem to not be based in Scripture or based on a misunderstanding of Scripture. I would love to see if Protestants can properly answer these. Simply quoting verses that seem to back you up is not enough here. You need to show that these other verses are not problematic.
I do not only want to trust in Jesus, I want to trust that I am following everything that he taught. Jesus commanded the apostles to teach all that He has commanded, not just the important stuff. If you get the main stuff right but other things wrong, you still got it wrong. If a teacher gave a 10 question quiz and said, "You got questions 1, 2, 5, and 7 right, but everything else wrong. It is ok though those questions were the most important." I still get a failing grade. So, if you want me to convert to Protestantism you need to show that you actually follow all of Scripture, because I want to strive to get a 100% on the "test" of salvation. After all Jesus told us to "Be perfect as Your Heavenly Father is perfect" Not "Be kind of perfect as Your Heavenly Father is perfect."
submitted by Philothea0821 to Christianity [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 15:40 Dot200 [The Last Prince of Rennaya] Chapter 56: Atlas vs Osei

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Prometheus's defences had started to fail, as it took increased amounts of fire, from drones and ships of the Kirosian and Cerian space fleets. The situation was beginning to get grim, as Beyond's forces were reduced to only forty ships. It seemed as if any cries for help, would get lost in the depths of space.
However, a light began to shine on the visitors from Earth, as over a thousand Azurian ships, came in alleviating the pressure. The entire armada and reserve.
The one leading the charge, broadcasted a message to his fleet before the attack. "My people, and those of you watching back home. Today we have watched members of our clan die on this forsaken planet. Right now, our benefactors and the future Queen of Azuria are at risk of perishing to the monsters who threaten our very way of life and our existence... Forgive this selfish king, but will you follow me into battle and help me save my granddaughter and our allies?!"
Everyone watching, roared in response and stomped in rhythm. "Hai!"
Akio smiled. "Then, let us be victorious!"
The broadcast ended, as his ship, the Azure Dragon, descended towards Rennaya, ignoring the barrage of missiles fired by the Pandora. Akio looked back with a pained look, at the remaining, twenty-two Hashin with him, standing in formation by the bay door.
"I have seen all of you, grow up, trained you and guided you. I have seen you find love, be hurt, and find true happiness. Each of you are my kin, nothing can hold us back when we work together and no one can stop us." He took a deep breath, then continued. "However my comrades. Today is the one day, you are excused from your duties. This mission is out of respect for my child and the level of danger is much more than I can even anticipate. I will not fault any of you or hold a single grudge if you feel like walking out of that door right now."
None of the Hashin, flinched, nor budged, they didn't doubt each other either. Making Akio's lips tremble. "Do you know what I'm asking of you? You're lives, will be forfeit the moment we enter Rennaya."
Roku stepped up, unveiling his mask. "Do not disrespect us, Akio. Our honour was tarnished, the moment we let our prince die alone out there. We are failing right now to protect our King. Please allow us, to protect the next Queen and our Elder. For Azuria "
He glanced back at the soldiers. "Isn't that right?!"
They stomped to rhythm, in agreement. "Hai!"
The General smiled at his King as he watched a tear roll down the man's cheek. "Cheer up old friend. Let us die with you." He said, as one by one, the Hashin began jumping out of the bay doors.
On the outskirts of Senae, Atlas vs Tobi & Osei...
Osei launched several volleys ahead, as he called on lightning to reinforce himself. Atlas was elated, dissipating the volleys with electric volleys of his own, then blocked his charge, as he reached out and manifested an intricate sword out of the ground below. Which slipped into his hand, just in time to block a flaming strike from Tobi, coming from behind him and managed to push him back.
"Bring it on!" He yelled out to the brothers, while unsheathing his own sword with his other hand, then began simultaneously parrying and striking back at them both.
He broke the deadlock, then twirled around quickly in place, creating a hurricane barrier, pushing them both back. Then threw the sword he created, at Tobi, who managed to deflect it, with quick reflexes, however, the force of the impact stung his hands, distracting him for a second.
A chance the emperor did not hesitate to take, as he dodged a charge from Osei and instead, teleported behind Tobi, while raising his own sword, high above his head.
"No!" Osei yelled out.
Atlas's eyes glimmered, as he smiled, seeing both of the brothers in despair. "Imperial Judgement, Execution!"
The wind followed the emperor's strike, erasing the landscape behind Tobi, as a massive fountain of blood, sprayed out of a gaping new cut, diagonally down his chest. He dropped to the floor, dozens of meters from his original position, as he held onto his chest, freezing his wound and convulsing. It was taking everything he could, to not fall unconscious, however eventually, the darkness took over.
"I... I... I won't forgive you!" Osei yelled out furiously, losing it, as Atlas laughed out loud.
Then, he glanced back at him, soaking in the torment, he was putting the prince through. "Don't worry, he won't die. I still need him. I just wanted to make sure he had a good nap." He said, pointing his right hand at Tobi's body, as a coffin of ice, swallowed him and began healing his wound back, slowly.
Osei could not believe, the situation they were in. It felt surreal after everything he had been through. Something deep within him, began to snap, as years of trauma, boiled up to a single point. He lunged, at full speed, striking Atlas' sword, with overbearing might, and pushed him flying back into an area away from Tobi. "You bring disaster with you, everywhere you go. You're existence, is the only one, this galaxy... No, this universe never needed!"
Osei struck down as the emperor hopped to his left, freezing the prince's sword to the ground. Osei managed to break his hands-free and followed up with a high kick to his face.
Atlas bent back, nearly missing the strike, then gave him two quick punches. One to his face, the other in his gut, bursting forth a beam of ice, as it crashed him through several hills.
Osei got up, coughing blood. "Not yet! Thunder Raika!"
Lightning crashed down, meeting an umbrella of ice, that the emperor managed to raise in time, with its hilt redirecting the charge into the ground. "It's over. Just give up. You did your best."
Osei clenched his fists, seething. What must his people be thinking of him? What would his parents do?
He felt as if he had failed them and could no longer take it anymore. "Not yet. As long as I draw breath..."
He placed his hands together, condensing a massive amount of electricity within a small violet sphere, dozens of times over. "Remo Raieqa!" It shattered forth, beaming violently and eating away the landscape on the way, to Atlas.
Atlas raised a finger, as a sphere of ice, held together an unfathomable amount of pressure, causing cracks in the sphere itself. Then, he launched it towards Osei's incoming attack. "Wind Sovereign!"
The shockwave, followed by a razor blast of wind, dispersed his beam in half and dissipated it as it crashed into Osei's chest, knocking him off of his feet, and crashing him through the terrain. Osei was having a hard time, keeping his eyes open. He felt bruises and fractures in multiple parts of his body. "I've failed." A tear fell down his cheek, as his regrets ate him up.
"No, my son." His eyes glanced to his left, as he raised his head. It was as if he was daydreaming, with illusions blending in with reality.
"Mom?" He asked, unbelieving of what he was seeing.
She smiled while keeping her hands above his chest, healing him, as someone else knelt to his right and spoke. "We failed you."
He glanced at the face of a very familiar man. One wearing a crown, with a remorseful and saddened expression. "Dad? But how?"
His memory took him back to the explanations, the Novas and Tobi gave of the ethereal plane. However other than Tobi, the others had only seen one or a few Rennayans each.
Zenu shook his head. "We should have been certain of you and your brother's safety, from the very beginning. The life you've had to go through. I can never forgive myself for that."
Safiyah was fighting back tears, but she took over. "We are so sorry. Will you forgive us?"
Osei, laughed, with tears escaping his eyes. "I've never blamed you for anything. I wish things never went the way they did. You were the greatest parents. My only regret is not having enough strength to restore Rennaya myself."
He covered his eyes. "I'm sorry father, I'm no prince. I've failed to keep my brother safe and I've failed to bring justice for our people."
Zenu smiled. "If we can be forgiven, then you can too. Come on, get up."
Osei pondered about what he meant, but as he got up, slowly, his eyes grew wide. Standing around them, with Waio in front, were hundreds of millions, if not a billion people.
Safiyah spoke up. "My little Osei, no one blames you for anything, you've far exceeded what was expected of you and gave hope to the galaxy once more. You have done your part. Let us help you, with what you want to do. However, I would advise you to take your brother and escape immediately."
Osei was a little dumbfounded to be once again, seeing so many of his people. It was a little difficult for him to speak. "Thank... You."
He shook his thoughts away, remembering his mission. Then he reached his hand out, as his sword, flew back into his palm, hilt first. "I have to keep my little brother safe. My people, I ask of you, please lend me your strength."
They all began to kneel and punch the ground, as their fists broke through into a deep abyss of darkness. Each of their eyes, began to glow, like a domino effect. They all smiled and spoke together. "Yes, Your Highness."
Osei was stunned, as multiple branches of energy began, opening up, within his body.
Waio spoke up. "Do not be alarmed, my pupil. Of course, you're affinity is high with your people. All of Rennaya once celebrated your birth as a sign of hope, prosperity, and good times to come."
Seeing Waio again, made it hard for him to keep his composure. He continued to look around, remembering all of the faces, of people he used to know, as his parents placed their hands on his shoulders, then spoke in unison. "Whatever you do from now on just know, that we are proud of you and we will always love you, no matter what."
He nodded, as his tears dried up, along with them all disappearing, as Atlas broke the silence. "I was waiting back there, expecting you to come back up. You know, with how you couldn't forgive me and whatnot, but instead I find you bawling your eyes out here. What's the matter with you?"
Osei wiped his eyes, then swung his sword to his side, and released all of the built-up energy he had gathered. A skull with markings similar to Tobi's manifested over his face, then crumbled apart, as his eyes, glowed bright blue, with purple and black veins, coursing through his body, pulsing in intervals. His hair flashed full silver, then settled, mixing evenly with the rest of his jet-black hair.
Mist escaped his mouth, with each breath he took, as rings of fire crushed the ground, followed by tremors and thousands of lightning strikes. He had reached his peak.
"Sorry for the wait. I'm alright now. Let's settle this." He spoke calmly, as the tension, rose between them. They stared each other down with pure malice. Yet the emperor could not help noticing, the phenomenon occurring around him.
He laughed, realizing what was happening. "It would seem, the reports were true. The suits that have been granting your human allies, abilities, can also bring about miracles near death. It was tragic what happened on Valtorin, but it was a truly valuable experience. Luckily our drone captured everything, but to be witnessing it myself here... I'm getting even more excited."
Osei, cracked his neck, then crouched, charging up electricity, as his sword caught fire. Then he struck vertically, ripping apart the ground between them, as the aerial strike jetted with at an incredible speed.
Atlas was surprised by Osei's growth. Forcing him to shift into second gear, as he raised a steel wall out of the ground. Which forced him to drop Tobi out of his chamber and woke him up, as he wondered where his brother went.
Atlas drew his sword, coating it in fire. "I raised you. Yet, you dare stand against me!"
Osei laughed out loud. "Every living moment under you was hell. You're just a robot, gone wrong. It's time for you to get tossed to the junkyard."
The emperor glared at him, a vein nearly bursting out, on his temple. "I see, you're prepared to die."
They lunged at each other, bringing absolute devastation to their surroundings, as both of them aimed for the kill. Osei broke the deadlock, jumping back, then pointed a palm at the ground, as it started to rise. "Doteko Ohoni."
A gigantic replica of him rose out of the ground, with its inner body fueled by lava and its outer covered in titanium, diamonds, & other gems. In its hand, a sword the size of a building maintained violent, violet flames coated over it, as lightning continuously struck it.
Atlas's eyes grew wide, then he turned around, to retreat in the opposite direction while preparing a condensed sphere of lava. However, the giant lunged after him and swung vertically with precision, before he could escape.
The emperor spun around just in time, thrusting the sphere at the giant's sword, to mitigate some of the force as he was sent flying across the country. He tried regaining mobility, midflight, but the winds were too much, that's when he saw a looming shadow, covering the sky, and beginning to descend.
Atlas immediately threw his hands into the air, trying to launch anything to protect himself on time. However violet lightning struck the giant, aiding his descent down even faster and leaving a devastating impact on the face of the planet.
Osei hovered over, feeling the emperor's life force, still burning strong below. "You don't deserve any mercy!" He yelled out, knowing he could still hear him, then raised his right hand to the sky. It began to rain and then seconds later, the rain clumped together while freezing into sparrows, charged with electricity.
He watched as the remains of the giant was split in half, by a beam of lava. As it broke apart, he didn't hesitate and dropped his hand. "Kraman Armada!"
Millions of sparrows crashed down onto the emperor, cutting him up, and bombarding him with intense stings and surges. Then, froze him in a massive iceberg of birds, shocking him nonstop with tens of billions of volts.
Osei crouched down and gathered all of his energy to the edge of his blade, then burned it hotter than ever, with fire & electricity, as dark clouds supplied him with an endless capacity. He frosted his hands over to protect himself from the heat, as a superheated coat of magma pulled itself together over his blade, adding to the firepower.
He thought of everyone he needed to do this for and sealed his resolve. "Let's finish this."
Atlas was trapped, defenceless as he tried to melt himself free. Regardless of anything he could have done, it would have been too late, as Osei shot out of the sky, like lightning.
"Raieqa Omega!" He yelled before he cut through the ice and Atlas at the same time. Wiping out the entire landscape around and behind Atlas, as he whizzed past, sheathing his sword.
He turned around cursing, as multiple side effects started to take effect on his body, disorientating him, as he watched Atlas stitch back the half of his body that had nearly been cut clean. "I missed." He whispered to himself.
Atlas noticed, that several of his circuits were not working the same, since his core was nicked. He glared at Osei, with a deadly look. "You've gone too far!"
Osei smirked, knowing he struck a nerve. "I could say the same for you!" He heaved, trying to catch his breath. 'Hold on Osei, just one more.' He told himself, as he gathered up the last of his energy within him and formed a stance.
Atlas looked down at the ground, as his anger boiled over the top. All five of the elements began to rampage all around them, simultaneously. Disappearing as each one laid waste to the environment. His hair began to flash silver, as earthquakes raged the continent.
Osei's eyes grew wide, as he noticed the emperor's energy skyrocketing.
His eyes went white, then slotted back to a glowing bloodshot red. New pressure emanated from him, making the air, seem heavier to breathe. As he spoke, his voice sent chills down Osei's spine. "It's time to end this."
Osei, clenched his teeth, leaping at lightning speed. "Raieqa Omega!"
His sword, this time, collided with Atlas's, but the force of the emperor swinging back, sent him flying back over half a kilometre. Osei dropped his sword, unable to hold onto it, as he skidded, crashing across a field. He quickly got up, putting all of the energy he could muster into a condensed violet flaming sphere, charging it with electricity, and spinning around a core of magma.
Frost covered his hands, as the heat of its orbit, began cutting into his palms. He thrust it forth, just in time as the emperor landed in front of him. "Seiaqa Ultimate!"
Atlas smirked as he raised his hand at the incoming blast. Then it began to split around him as it seemingly struck an invisible barrier in front of it. Visible only as it began to crack.
Osei staggered, letting up in disbelief that it had done nothing to the emperor. He watched as Atlas raised a finger toward him, with a disappointed, yet saddened expression. "You were a good warrior. You just didn't know, who you were up against." He spoke calmly, as the sky seemed to go dark, raining with occasional rings of thunder, while he darted his finger in five thrusts at Osei's body. "Particle Decimation."
Tobi had just arrived. Just in time, to watch his brother drop to the floor.
Notes:
Raika means bolt in Rennayan.
Remo means concentrated in Rennayan.
Raieqa means shock or volt in Rennayan.
Saieqa Ultimate is ultimate lightning in Rennayan.
Kraman and Doteko Ohoni (Stone King, possibility) were taken from the Ghanian language and used as part of the Rennayan, but I may have misplaced the translations.
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submitted by Dot200 to redditserials [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 15:36 Patient-Guidance-794 Divorce - Options when run out of money

Hi, this is a throwaway written on behalf of my parent.
I'm wondering if anyone can advise what to so/ the options are when you run out of money to pay for a divorce.
My ex has basically left and was content to not do anything re divorce so I have paid for the initial stages and a solicitor to look after my needs.
Unfortunately I need a financial settlement before I can obtain the final order but this is costing £750-£1000 a month so far and we haven't even exchanged the form E yet.
I've spent £4-5k already and this was my entire savings. As an ill-health retiree I'm not sure where the next amount of money is coming from to pay my solicitor to advance the case and they won't speak to me about it as they need my account in credit.
I'm just not sure what to do or where to go from here. I just want to be divorced!!
My ex doesn't have a solicitor as yet as they are refusing to assist in anyway. Just wants to pretend they were never married.
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2024.05.14 15:36 InevitablePie4641 NHS funding Rhinoplasty

I have booked in a consultation with a plastic surgeon in the UK. I payed for the consultation. However I wanted to get the surgery NHS funded because I do have breathing difficulties. However I was asked to fill in a form and I would need to pick self funded because I have yet to see my GP as I am changing GPs and the change takes a month. When I see the GP can I request for a particular surgeon and can I pick self funded for now but discuss NHS funding with the surgeon or would I need to see my GP instead?
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2024.05.14 15:31 No-Log-7515 Dividend Pie Percentage Help

Hello, Thank you for your time to see and comment on this post.
I come to you with a question. Is it only me that finds hard to make a % target for the stocks? I really need some advise creating a good pie percentage. And yes there are 8 stocks and is quite hard to get grasp of every one of these regarding the news. But it is so hard to remove one. I have listed below the benefits from my point of view. I am using https://snowball-analytics.com to do some calculations.
https://preview.redd.it/fv078v9k9e0d1.png?width=1027&format=png&auto=webp&s=6753de23e83ca06d1ffce5786661efc82a3d4b31
https://preview.redd.it/ig0dtryp8e0d1.png?width=886&format=png&auto=webp&s=e3898a8da00ced2a4e87846aaf2d60744fb7c548
https://preview.redd.it/hinlwm069e0d1.png?width=1445&format=png&auto=webp&s=9a0b60d9be1ee5b3ed538d7a94c5ae161620ffd0
https://preview.redd.it/ijxgn1ug9e0d1.png?width=1331&format=png&auto=webp&s=c50e5fdde16195972b43838fcbe20da0d4dd1d37
I find it hard to make a good target % of my portfolio because I am fond of every one of here like:
Realty Income (O):
Consistent Dividend Payer: Realty Income is a real estate investment trust (REIT) known for its monthly dividend payments, making it appealing to income-oriented investors.
Stability: The company's focus on essential retail properties like pharmacies and convenience stores provides stability, even during economic downturns.
Chevron Corporation (CVX):
Energy Sector Exposure: Chevron is a major player in the energy sector, offering exposure to oil and gas markets.
Dividend Growth: Chevron has a history of paying dividends and increasing them over time, which can be attractive for income-focused investors.
Main Street Capital Corporation (MAIN):
Business Development Company (BDC): MAIN provides debt and equity financing to small and mid-sized companies, offering diversification in the portfolio.
High Dividend Yield: MAIN typically offers a high dividend yield, making it appealing for income investors seeking regular cash flow.
AbbVie Inc. (ABBV):
Pharmaceutical Sector Exposure: AbbVie is a leading pharmaceutical company known for its blockbuster drugs.
Dividend Growth: AbbVie has a strong track record of paying dividends and increasing them, which can be attractive for long-term investors.
Enbridge Inc. (ENB):
Energy Infrastructure: Enbridge is involved in energy transportation and distribution, providing essential services in North America.
Reliable Income: ENB typically offers a stable dividend, supported by its regulated and contracted assets.
Altria Group Inc. (MO):
Tobacco Industry Exposure: Altria is a dominant player in the tobacco industry, known for its strong cash flows.
High Dividend Yield: MO typically offers a high dividend yield, making it attractive for income-focused investors.
Starbucks Corporation (SBUX):
Consumer Discretionary Sector Exposure: Starbucks operates in the consumer discretionary sector, offering exposure to consumer spending trends.
Growth Potential: Starbucks has opportunities for expansion globally, particularly in emerging markets, which could drive future growth.
VICI Properties Inc. (VICI):
Real Estate Exposure: VICI Properties is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on gaming, hospitality, and entertainment properties.
Dividend Stability: VICI typically offers a stable dividend, supported by long-term lease agreements with its tenants.
Thank you!
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2024.05.14 15:31 Dot200 The Last Prince of Rennaya 56 Atlas vs Osei

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Prometheus's defences had started to fail, as it took increased amounts of fire, from drones and ships of the Kirosian and Cerian space fleets. The situation was beginning to get grim, as Beyond's forces were reduced to only forty ships. It seemed as if any cries for help, would get lost in the depths of space.
However, a light began to shine on the visitors from Earth, as over a thousand Azurian ships, came in alleviating the pressure. The entire armada and reserve.
The one leading the charge, broadcasted a message to his fleet before the attack. "My people, and those of you watching back home. Today we have watched members of our clan die on this forsaken planet. Right now, our benefactors and the future Queen of Azuria are at risk of perishing to the monsters who threaten our very way of life and our existence... Forgive this selfish king, but will you follow me into battle and help me save my granddaughter and our allies?!"
Everyone watching, roared in response and stomped in rhythm. "Hai!"
Akio smiled. "Then, let us be victorious!"
The broadcast ended, as his ship, the Azure Dragon, descended towards Rennaya, ignoring the barrage of missiles fired by the Pandora. Akio looked back with a pained look, at the remaining, twenty-two Hashin with him, standing in formation by the bay door.
"I have seen all of you, grow up, trained you and guided you. I have seen you find love, be hurt, and find true happiness. Each of you are my kin, nothing can hold us back when we work together and no one can stop us." He took a deep breath, then continued. "However my comrades. Today is the one day, you are excused from your duties. This mission is out of respect for my child and the level of danger is much more than I can even anticipate. I will not fault any of you or hold a single grudge if you feel like walking out of that door right now."
None of the Hashin, flinched, nor budged, they didn't doubt each other either. Making Akio's lips tremble. "Do you know what I'm asking of you? You're lives, will be forfeit the moment we enter Rennaya."
Roku stepped up, unveiling his mask. "Do not disrespect us, Akio. Our honor was tarnished, the moment we let our prince die alone out there. We are failing right now to protect our King. Please allow us, to protect the next Queen and our Elder. For Azuria "
He glanced back at the soldiers. "Isn't that right?!"
They stomped to rhythm, in agreement. "Hai!"
The General smiled at his King as he watched a tear roll down the man's cheek. "Cheer up old friend. Let us die with you." He said, as one by one, the Hashin began jumping out of the bay doors.
Outskirts of Senae, Atlas vs Tobi & Osei...
Osei launched several volleys ahead, as he called on lightning to reinforce himself. Atlas was elated, dissipating the volleys with electric volleys of his own, then blocked his charge, as he reached out and manifested an intricate sword out of the ground below. Which slipped into his hand, just in time to block a flaming strike from Tobi, coming from behind him and managed to push him back.
"Bring it on!" He yelled out to the brothers, while unsheathing his own sword with his other hand, then began simultaneously parrying and striking back at them both.
He broke the deadlock, then twirled around quickly in place, creating a hurricane barrier, pushing them both back. Then threw the sword he created, at Tobi, who managed to deflect it, with quick reflexes, however, the force of the impact stung his hands, distracting him for a second.
A chance the emperor did not hesitate to take, as he dodged a charge from Osei and instead, teleported behind Tobi, while raising his own sword, high above his head.
"No!" Osei yelled out.
Atlas's eyes glimmered, as he smiled, seeing both of the brothers in despair. "Imperial Judgement, Execution!"
The wind followed the emperor's strike, erasing the landscape behind Tobi, as a massive fountain of blood, sprayed out of a gaping new cut, diagonally down his chest. He dropped to the floor, dozens of meters from his original position, as he held onto his chest, freezing his wound and convulsing. It was taking everything he could, to not fall unconscious, however eventually, the darkness took over.
"I... I... I won't forgive you!" Osei yelled out furiously, losing it, as Atlas laughed out loud.
Then, he glanced back at him, soaking in the torment, he was putting the prince through. "Don't worry, he won't die. I still need him. I just wanted to make sure he had a good nap." He said, pointing his right hand at Tobi's body, as a coffin of ice, swallowed him and began healing his wound back, slowly.
Osei could not believe, the situation they were in. It felt surreal after everything he had been through. Something deep within him, began to snap, as years of trauma, boiled up to a single point. He lunged, at full speed, striking Atlas' sword, with overbearing might, and pushed him flying back into an area away from Tobi. "You bring disaster with you, everywhere you go. You're existence, is the only one, this galaxy... No, this universe never needed!"
Osei struck down as the emperor hopped to his left, freezing the prince's sword to the ground. Osei managed to break his hands-free and followed up with a high kick to his face.
Atlas bent back, nearly missing the strike, then gave him two quick punches. One to his face, the other in his gut, bursting forth a beam of ice, as it crashed him through several hills.
Osei got up, coughing blood. "Not yet! Thunder Raika!"
Lightning crashed down, meeting an umbrella of ice, that the emperor managed to raise in time, with its hilt redirecting the charge into the ground. "It's over. Just give up. You did your best."
Osei clenched his fists, seething. What must his people be thinking of him? What would his parents do?
He felt as if he had failed them and could no longer take it anymore. "Not yet. As long as I draw breath..."
He placed his hands together, condensing a massive amount of electricity within a small violet sphere, dozens of times over. "Remo Raieqa!" It shattered forth, beaming violently and eating away the landscape on the way, to Atlas.
Atlas raised a finger, as a sphere of ice, held together an unfathomable amount of pressure, causing cracks in the sphere itself. Then, he launched it towards Osei's incoming attack. "Wind Sovereign!"
The shockwave, followed by a razor blast of wind, dispersed his beam in half and dissipated it as it crashed into Osei's chest, knocking him off of his feet, and crashing him through the terrain. Osei was having a hard time, keeping his eyes open. He felt bruises and fractures in multiple parts of his body. "I've failed." A tear fell down his cheek, as his regrets ate him up.
"No, my son." His eyes glanced to his left, as he raised his head. It was as if he was daydreaming, with illusions blending in with reality.
"Mom?" He asked, unbelieving of what he was seeing.
She smiled while keeping her hands above his chest, healing him, as someone else knelt to his right and spoke. "We failed you."
He glanced at the face of a very familiar man. One wearing a crown, with a remorseful and saddened expression. "Dad? But how?"
His memory took him back to the explanations, the Novas and Tobi gave of the ethereal plane. However other than Tobi, the others had only seen one or a few Rennayans each.
Zenu shook his head. "We should have been certain of you and your brother's safety, from the very beginning. The life you've had to go through. I can never forgive myself for that."
Safiyah was fighting back tears, but she took over. "We are so sorry. Will you forgive us?"
Osei, laughed, with tears escaping his eyes. "I've never blamed you for anything. I wish things never went the way they did. You were the greatest parents. My only regret is not having enough strength to restore Rennaya myself."
He covered his eyes. "I'm sorry father, I'm no prince. I've failed to keep my brother safe and I've failed to bring justice for our people."
Zenu smiled. "If we can be forgiven, then you can too. Come on, get up."
Osei pondered about what he meant, but as he got up, slowly, his eyes grew wide. Standing around them, with Waio in front, were hundreds of millions, if not a billion people.
Safiyah spoke up. "My little Osei, no one blames you for anything, you've far exceeded what was expected of you and gave hope to the galaxy once more. You have done your part. Let us help you, with what you want to do. However, I would advise you to take your brother and escape immediately."
Osei was a little dumbfounded to be once again, seeing so many of his people. It was a little difficult for him to speak. "Thank... You."
He shook his thoughts away, remembering his mission. Then he reached his hand out, as his sword, flew back into his palm, hilt first. "I have to keep my little brother safe. My people, I ask of you, please lend me your strength."
They all began to kneel and punch the ground, as their fists broke through into a deep abyss of darkness. Each of their eyes, began to glow, like a domino effect. They all smiled and spoke together. "Yes, Your Highness."
Osei was stunned, as multiple branches of energy began, opening up, within his body.
Waio spoke up. "Do not be alarmed, my pupil. Of course, you're affinity is high with your people. All of Rennaya once celebrated your birth as a sign of hope, prosperity, and good times to come."
Seeing Waio again, made it hard for him to keep his composure. He continued to look around, remembering all of the faces, of people he used to know, as his parents placed their hands on his shoulders, then spoke in unison. "Whatever you do from now on just know, that we are proud of you and we will always love you, no matter what."
He nodded, as his tears dried up, along with them all disappearing, as Atlas broke the silence. "I was waiting back there, expecting you to come back up. You know, with how you couldn't forgive me and whatnot, but instead I find you bawling your eyes out here. What's the matter with you?"
Osei wiped his eyes, then swung his sword to his side, and released all of the built-up energy he had gathered. A skull with markings similar to Tobi's manifested over his face, then crumbled apart, as his eyes, glowed bright blue, with purple and black veins, coursing through his body, pulsing in intervals. His hair flashed full silver, then settled, mixing evenly with the rest of his jet-black hair.
Mist escaped his mouth, with each breath he took, as rings of fire crushed the ground, followed by tremors and thousands of lightning strikes. He had reached his peak.
"Sorry for the wait. I'm alright now. Let's settle this." He spoke calmly, as the tension, rose between them. They stared each other down with pure malice. Yet the emperor could not help noticing, the phenomenon occurring around him.
He laughed, realizing what was happening. "It would seem, the reports were true. The suits that have been granting your human allies, abilities, can also bring about miracles near death. It was tragic what happened on Valtorin, but it was a truly valuable experience. Luckily our drone captured everything, but to be witnessing it myself here... I'm getting even more excited."
Osei, cracked his neck, then crouched, charging up electricity, as his sword caught fire. Then he struck vertically, ripping apart the ground between them, as the aerial strike jetted with at an incredible speed.
Atlas was surprised by Osei's growth. Forcing him to shift into second gear, as he raised a steel wall out of the ground. Which forced him to drop Tobi out of his chamber and woke him up, as he wondered where his brother went.
Atlas drew his sword, coating it in fire. "I raised you. Yet, you dare stand against me!"
Osei laughed out loud. "Every living moment under you was hell. You're just a robot, gone wrong. It's time for you to get tossed to the junkyard."
The emperor glared at him, a vein nearly bursting out, on his temple. "I see, you're prepared to die."
They lunged at each other, bringing absolute devastation to their surroundings, as both of them aimed for the kill. Osei broke the deadlock, jumping back, then pointed a palm at the ground, as it started to rise. "Doteko Ohoni."
A gigantic replica of him rose out of the ground, with its inner body fueled by lava and its outer covered in titanium, diamonds, & other gems. In its hand, a sword the size of a building maintained violent, violet flames coated over it, as lightning continuously struck it.
Atlas's eyes grew wide, then he turned around, to retreat in the opposite direction while preparing a condensed sphere of lava. However, the giant lunged after him and swung vertically with precision, before he could escape.
The emperor spun around just in time, thrusting the sphere at the giant's sword, to mitigate some of the force as he was sent flying across the country. He tried regaining mobility, midflight, but the winds were too much, that's when he saw a looming shadow, covering the sky, and beginning to descend.
Atlas immediately threw his hands into the air, trying to launch anything to protect himself on time. However violet lightning struck the giant, aiding his descent down even faster and leaving a devastating impact on the face of the planet.
Osei hovered over, feeling the emperor's life force, still burning strong below. "You don't deserve any mercy!" He yelled out, knowing he could still hear him, then raised his right hand to the sky. It began to rain and then seconds later, the rain clumped together while freezing into sparrows, charged with electricity.
He watched as the remains of the giant was split in half, by a beam of lava. As it broke apart, he didn't hesitate and dropped his hand. "Kraman Armada!"
Millions of sparrows crashed down onto the emperor, cutting him up, and bombarding him with intense stings and surges. Then, froze him in a massive iceberg of birds, shocking him nonstop with tens of billions of volts.
Osei crouched down and gathered all of his energy to the edge of his blade, then burned it hotter than ever, with fire & electricity, as dark clouds supplied him with an endless capacity. He frosted his hands over to protect himself from the heat, as a superheated coat of magma pulled itself together over his blade, adding to the firepower.
He thought of everyone he needed to do this for and sealed his resolve. "Let's finish this."
Atlas was trapped, defenceless as he tried to melt himself free. Regardless of anything he could have done, it would have been too late, as Osei shot out of the sky, like lightning.
"Raieqa Omega!" He yelled before he cut through the ice and Atlas at the same time. Wiping out the entire landscape around and behind Atlas, as he whizzed past, sheathing his sword.
He turned around cursing, as multiple side effects started to take effect on his body, disorientating him, as he watched Atlas stitch back the half of his body that had nearly been cut clean. "I missed." He whispered to himself.
Atlas noticed, that several of his circuits were not working the same, since his core was nicked. He glared at Osei, with a deadly look. "You've gone too far!"
Osei smirked, knowing he struck a nerve. "I could say the same for you!" He heaved, trying to catch his breath. 'Hold on Osei, just one more.' He told himself, as he gathered up the last of his energy within him and formed a stance.
Atlas looked down at the ground, as his anger boiled over the top. All five of the elements began to rampage all around them, simultaneously. Disappearing as each one laid waste to the environment. His hair began to flash silver, as earthquakes raged the continent.
Osei's eyes grew wide, as he noticed the emperor's energy skyrocketing.
His eyes went white, then slotted back to a glowing bloodshot red. New pressure emanated from him, making the air, seem heavier to breathe. As he spoke, his voice sent chills down Osei's spine. "It's time to end this."
Osei, clenched his teeth, leaping at lightning speed. "Raieqa Omega!"
His sword, this time, collided with Atlas's, but the force of the emperor swinging back, sent him flying back over half a kilometre. Osei dropped his sword, unable to hold onto it, as he skidded, crashing across a field. He quickly got up, putting all of the energy he could muster into a condensed violet flaming sphere, charging it with electricity, and spinning around a core of magma.
Frost covered his hands, as the heat of its orbit, began cutting into his palms. He thrust it forth, just in time as the emperor landed in front of him. "Seiaqa Ultimate!"
Atlas smirked as he raised his hand at the incoming blast. Then it began to split around him as it seemingly struck an invisible barrier in front of it. Visible only as it began to crack.
Osei staggered, letting up in disbelief that it had done nothing to the emperor. He watched as Atlas raised a finger toward him, with a disappointed, yet saddened expression. "You were a good warrior. You just didn't know, who you were up against." He spoke calmly, as the sky seemed to go dark, raining with occasional rings of thunder, while he darted his finger in five thrusts at Osei's body. "Particle Decimation."
Tobi had just arrived. Just in time, to watch his brother drop to the floor.
Notes:
Raika means bolt in Rennayan.
Remo means concentrated in Rennayan.
Raieqa means shock or volt in Rennayan.
Saieqa Ultimate is ultimate lightning in Rennayan.
Kraman and Doteko Ohoni (Stone King, possibility) were taken from the Ghanian language and used as part of the Rennayan, but I may have misplaced the translations.
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2024.05.14 15:28 healthmedicinet Health Daily News May 13 2024

DAY: MAY 13, 2024

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2024.05.14 15:26 JohnSPeterson Hunting dogs roam the forest at night near Liepāja Latvia scaring the living daylight out of hikers

i emailed this to agencies that deal with hunting and wildlife problems
pasts@varam.gov.lv
info@wildlifesos.org
reportmisconduct@undp.org
there is no obvious place to report this and expect a serious hearing from someone fluent in English and scientifically minded
the following is what I wrote a month ago after the event
i can't judge after hand how much danger i was in but i would treat it seriously
luckily has not happened again in this country for a month. hopefully never happens again. although the next time i will have the benefit of having experienced it already
when police arrived i demanded prison for the dog owner in clearest possible way i could. after my speach was done they did not ask me a single word. they could tell i was furious of fear. and better to talk another time. i am so drained from global security work that i can't follow up on this but this should be available for anyone to read that might experience it themselves or take upon their self to wander around this globe as i do
i will probably feel guilty if the owner lose his dogs or hunting permit or reputation in his community. i am not going to judge anyone extremely harshly
if they ask me to fill out a criminal report according to some kind of format standards i am not going to do it myself an experienced prosecutor that has done it before is free to report this or pass it along. just not going to fill in report fields in some kind of form. you do it for me if you want to. i am not doing it. should be enough information to find
http://geohash.org/u6p4gj36
is the exact location and anyone can guess where the dogs came from probably the nearest mansion two thousand metres away to the east across p111 near upsede. upsede mansion. good luck asking them about it they don't speak a word of English here development is seventy years behind the west

preface

this is so incredulous that it could be picked up by news
still in shock six hours later at dawn
just the title should give you the general idea
i have never heard of such outrageous neglect in dog keeping in my life
the dogs escape unnoticed at night and hunt without human supervision and presumably return in the morning without anyone doing anything about it
this dog owner would make the top ten list anywhere in history
the dogs occasional howl brought up pictures of wolf movies the grey with that guy from Schindler's list the guy that played Oscar Schindler fighting with wolves with broken glass and a big knife to his death but i can safely discard all theories besides a runaway hunting dog militia on four legs in a large pack sounded like at least ten animals
in that immense fear of a completely unfamiliar situation in a life of hiking around the globe thoughts whirled around all possible night mares before i realised it is obviously hunting dogs all else is pure fantasy wolves are absolutely ruled out
they did not retreat when they sensed my presence but stayed in full alarm perhaps as when they encounter prey on a supervised hunt to alert the humans. even though they knew they were alone and no one to alert, they knew i was probably not prey, did not know enough to EVER be alone unsupervised anywhere but home preferably inside, but did NOT know or predict the length of the prison sentence they just brought on their owner by this nightly escapade. whoops
the locals will predictably put the lid on but the power of the internet is a wonderful thing
i can not imagine any circumstance that would make this less than prison anywhere in the union or West europe. now this is the old east. no one understands English etc. one escaped dog barking in the forest. fine. slap on the wrist. possibly losing care of the animal...ten rabid hunting dogs in full alarm scaring the life out of a hiker resting at night. shake those bars for three months. watch that prison television. and there won't be any Marlborough or beers in prison

the entire report

the exact location is near the highest hunting tower on the old railway trail passing by upsede north east of liepaja that is used for hunting commonly judging by all the towers lining the road there
This began around Four hours after dark on the early night of Sunday 28 April 2024 or exactly 1:00 o'clock
I will first describe exactly what happened and after that separately my interpretation in hindsight when recalling these events three hours later when I can calm down
This is a rather long story so I will get to my point right here before the story
What can I do if I encounter a dog pack like this again except tell at them and calmly leave. What if they hunt me or behave like they are guarding a territory. However remotely that might seems. There is a reason this is a serious crime. Too much uncertainty
Can you confirm that this kind of incessant barking is absolutely impossible in any other animal
In no circumstance whatsoever would any wolf pack or any deer flock behave like this even if I stood right on their den with ten kids inside
The occasional howling is something that dogs still retain from their wolf origin not long ago
It is not unlikely that a pack of hunting dogs alone would howl occasionally
Despite yelling at them several times there was no yell back from a human. Very likely the dogs escape at night without anyone caring about it extremely dangerous and frightening to a hiker that need. Rest at night not the fright of a life time
I could not imagine that in a relatively rich country anyone ever would drive their dogs for a night hunt. Would be absolute insanity. Neglect and alcoholism depression (försupen dumhet Swedish) I can easily imagine. Not outright insanity. Even if night hunting permits are sometimes issued in Germany for "animal control" "population control" of wild pigs. This is a completely separate topic that I will not say more about than that I am working on these issues on and off. My view as a progressive world ambassador could not be further from the idea of shooting at anything anywhere for any reason. Except tranquilizer darts for humane population control of CAPTURED animals not hunted. Captured. It is clear in Sweden that shooting anything anywhere with fire arms does not belong in the future society. Now this is all I will say about this. We are working on this as fast as is possible. The education effort still left on this planet is still enormous and daunting
Regarding dog behaviour in detail I know very little despite inspecting a manuscript by the foremost scientist on the subject that work in Budapest that is most famous for working on the Philippine paradise fish ten years ago before they changed to dogs and removed their aquarium
Dogs in particular have very little room in the professional literature since most pros are not anthropo centric. All mammals share common traits like an early recognition of friend and foe. Dogs in particular has almost never been studied at least not dogs for guarding or hunting. There might be one single work perhaps by one single biologist or behaviour ist ethology biology for shepherds dogs that life with grazing livestock
All books cover territory selection and protection and pack hunting or other flock behaviour. But almost nothing has apparently been possible or interesting to anyone to publish as a professional seeking a career in science in ethology animal behaviour or population biology. so i am not the only one drawing a blank when trying to explain the behaviour with any satisfaction more than anecdotal that is hard to call science

what I experienced

A sudden bark that I expect to be a roe deer that bark and run away. happens all the time
Although the bark was not quite right. more like a dog which I have never encountered at night
Suddenly a roaring festival of barking and occasional howling
The distance is extremely uncertain but perhaps five hundred meters
The direction was towards road p111 to the east toeards Upsede. i am by the big tower. There is one house near the road that the dogs could belong to if they crossed p111
Now my primal instinct set in and I envision a pack, a large pack, of wolves near their den the core of their territory. Frothing over my intrusion and ready to approach in full alarm
In hindsight this is just the occasional howling that caused this and everything about this speaks against wolves
IF wolves can behave like this or has been observed or heard doing this in ANY circumstance whatsoever I absolutely need to hear about it because it would bear on my future expeditions
If there is this single wolf dog hybrid pack maybe only one in Europe that I happened to encounter I absolutely need more information. feral dogs that would possibly go unnoticed in Belarus has crossed over to Latvia?
I have never heard of anything like that
All wolf incidents as rare as they are in Poland or anywhere have been with lone wolves that are sick or hungry and have lost their feir of humans
I have never heard of an aggressive wolf pack in Europe or anywhere on the planet
I have seen wolf droppings so many times and spent so much time day and night in wolf territory that I would never expect them to be so aggressive about human scent or sound like that
I have certainly had wolves near me many times but never heard a peep. In Sweden and Norway on long expeditions all summer and even winter and on and off for years from Spain to France Belgium Germany Poland and now here in the Baltics for one month so far direction Finland
The pack was in full alarm with barking and an occasional howl that dogs will still use. But much less than wolves. Wolves never bark together like this in any circumstance I have ever heard it seen if
It is with near certainty the pack of dogs that have hunted there before that happens to live on the farm on the opposite side of the road and escaped west around thousand metres into the forest.
Perhaps they do this regularly but no one cares
And now I happened to be there
Hiking and trekking and wild camping is MUCH more common in Sweden and Norway than anywhere in the world even Finland that is a close second. It is the Scandinavian spirit. As has recently been proven paleo lithic pre farming humans breed into the farming population only in Scandinavian nowhere else in Europe. I am personally absolutely at peace in nature and hate combustion engines that bother few others
Without getting off track completely I am continuing my expedition around Europe and almost all ground breaking record breaking endeavour of exploration has come from Scandinavia specifically. First settlement of the new world five hundred years before another European country etc etc etc first man on the south pole endless list of did what no one else could ot would. I am not placing my breed on a pedestal just explaining that if anyone would encounter something like this most likely it would be a Swede and the locals are most likely entirely puzzled why I am not living my life in doors at home or in a comfortable guest house
But this is beside the point just a side track to explain my presence in this rare encounter

in hindsight what happened

It is clear to me now that a pack of large hunting dogs. Not the small loud ones. Tax in Swedish. I have never owned a dog or hunted. I am a scientist. So I don't know much of anything about dog breeds. But presumably Large dogs that can hunt and kill on their own that have been trained to not kill the prey but only stalk it or drive it and make a loud alarm to draw the apes (not condescending just scientific classification of my species)
This is all speculation I just can't imagine what I heard to be a pack of tax (Swedish) small rabbit hunting dogs. These were large animals certainly with courage to act alone without humans
But I don't know anything about common hunting dogs in this region or anywhere so I can't suggest what breed it could have been that could behave this way
When I yelled at them they silenced for a moment then the roar continued
They had no intention to move back. I called for a police to meet me on road p111 and moved. I could hear the dogs for one thousand metres which gave me the impression that they moved after me at a safe distance perhaps curious about what I was
Again. If wolves can ever in any circumstance behave with this curiosity or aggressive confidence on human scent AND loud roaring. I yelled at them as a three hundred kilos silver back gorilla would try to show how big and powerful he was. No wolves ever no matter how big their biggest packs are in Europe would do anything but withdraw. These animals stayed at a distance and gave me the impression that they followed me on the road even. But not close
Distance is extremely uncertain but my best guess would be five hundred meters
This location has been used before for hunting and these dogs have been released during supervised legal (presumably) hunting in this exact location
They have smelled or sensed a wild animal and followed it into the forest where they have hunted before

will anyone stop this. how common is this

The police said they would call the nearest farms and ask about their dogs and the hunters that set up the hunting towers there in that old railway road where the dogs live that they bring to hunt there
But unfortunately I don't expect them to do anything when the response is "I know nothing". This is obviously a massive incident since I told them I am a scientist that will likely enquire with other scientist and if they cover this up it will explode big time. this is not s minor incident
Jägarna is a popular Swedish movie about the sad reality of this kind of stuff. anything related to mis management with hunting or dogs is so deeply rooted in human behaviour since the stone age that the local police do anything they can to forget about it. "Probably just a barking deer" or "wolves are common in the forest" and might bark despite my sincere explanation that this is hunting dogs not wolves and carries a prison sentence if heard in front of a magistrate
if you imagine "i like logic circuit design" the absolute opposite is "i like dogs and hunting". it's as different as a von Neumann machine is from sticks and stones in technological achievement. and a massive education effort is still needed for that population should they not cause a complete collapse of civilization like 1930s Germany. you might like NATURE you certainly don't like fire arms or dogs. has nothing to do with investigating nature. it is not conscious behaviour. but only photographers and hunters visit nature? you are obviously not a scientist ("what is this?" looking at bowling ball in small Lebowskis bath room. "you are obviously not a golfer")
I don't expect them to even ask anyone and just hope I forgot about it or they never have any other hikers near that spot at night
The "police report" that I received when they returned from the spot I told them to investigate was exactly that "it was probably just a deer and now I will go home and sleep". that only told ne that the pack had moved or did not respond to a car or they went to the wrong place or most likely could not be less motivated to find them
I gave the female officer that spoke English a stern explanation what would happen in Sweden. Prison. Absolutely nothing else than prison. Grave negligence in dog oversight. No hunting license and no dogs for the rest of his life
This is extremely serious that this is seen as a minor mistake that hunting dogs are stalking wild animals alone at night. Only in Sweden do we understand clearly that HUMANS are in the forest at night sometimes. We have palaeolithic blood lines and the world's foremost paleo biologist among other things. I am a renowned explorer. My father and uncle is one of the world's foremost wildlife photographer for WWF NG etc. Wild life is strictly monitored and controlled and this kind of neglect is absolutely treated with utmost sincerity
Our society is not in a state of civil war. Escaped hunting dogs hunting alone at night. Prison. Period. And the local police that tries to suppress it or treat it with a yawn will be investigated by internal affairs and released from service and prohibited from similar work with a responsibility to investigate seriously
We in sweden have the most aggressive policy in the world to combat this suppression of neglect related to hunting from the local community or any kind of coverup attempt or failure to investigate serious neglect, crime or not, we are not "paragraph riders" (paragraf ryttare) we investigate serious problems. anyone can understand how serious this is before digging after paragraphs

more about dog behaviour in general that might be relevant

Regarding dogs that hunt alone. I will not name any names but I have met a couple that lived in a remote valley in Portugal where their two large extremely aggressive dogs (even after ten minutes they were extremely uncomfortable with my presence and would not listen to their owner's calm regarding my encounter near their caravan on Canary islands) hunt together and bring home food. Literally drag it home to the family. Needless to say they have no kids and I will not say more about it more than the point that large dogs can easily on their own learn to hunt wild game. Possibly several breeds. They are still all close relatives of animals that do exactly that to survive. Guard territory identify intruder stalk and hunt prey is their basic behaviour anything else would result from actively counter acting instinctive behaviour that has become common to convert security staff patrol units and killers to social support animals because morons absolutely need to own a dog
Recall that in less developed countries like Chile dogs bark all night EVERYWHERE and run free in the day
I was in Chile for six months and never encountered dogs at night but had to suffer through the incessant noise if "guarding" at night. EVERYONE has night guard dogs. it is completely incomprehensible if you ever passed first grade with honours that they blindly follow a relict tradition for no other reason. Those dogs are GUARD dogs that have no experience of hunting ever. And when they encounter a human in the forest during their daily adventure they are never aggressive that far away from home
In western Europe outside Spain almost never dogs that bark all night. Same in Latvia. Two weeks in Lithuania don't think I ever heard a dog at night. A welcome serenity from Chile that I just arrived from after completing my record breaking expedition there
submitted by JohnSPeterson to antipoaching [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 15:26 Primary_Canary_2317 My(32F) boyfriend (32M) has been going through a divorce for over 2 1/2 years and now the ex is trying to involve me in it

Okay so my boyfriend let's call him G, has been going through a really nasty divorce/custody case, let's call his ex M. They have one child together well call them A.
I've been with G for almost two years and we just had a baby unexpectedly. G is fully retired from the military and stays home with the baby while I work I have a great career that is the perfect work/life balance so it didn't make sense for me to stay home and he go to work(he also already had his career and there's no need for him to continue to work after being deployed and what not), he pays child support every week for A even before it was court ordered.
M has been nothing but combative and refuses to come to any agreement for a divorce. She keeps contesting and won't agree to any custody agreement other than us only see A on the weekends. We do now see A on the weekends but G is wanting more as he should be able to see his child more than twice a week. M has no job and lives with a family member. I make good money and Gs retirement is pretty decent. Now G doesn't have much left over money for extras once the bills and child support is paid, so I'm the one who buys A all of their clothes, shoes, school supplies and what else A may need. I have absolutely no problem doing so and have never complained, I make more than enough for all of us, but I will not pay for M to live. I do purchase mother days gift, birthday or Christmas gifts from A to M, also with no complaints as it's for the child and it makes them happy.
Now that the judge is really pushing to get their divorced finalized as it's been almost 3 years of a constant battle, M wants to motion for my financial statement. I have no problem providing my statement as long as my income can't be used for child support, I feel like I contribute more than enough without hesitation. Like I said I will not pay for M to live while she has no job.
Can my income be used? We are in Massachusetts if that matters
submitted by Primary_Canary_2317 to Advice [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 15:25 FilipinoHermit BS Microbiology in MSU-IIT or BS Bio in UP Mindanao?

Good thing: I passed UP Los Banos for BS Bio. 2 Bad things: My fam can't afford for me to go to UPLB and I'm a dumbass that failed to register and take DOST-SEI scholarship that would've increased my chances of going to LB-- and by also doing sidejobs.
So I'm left with two options: I either go to MSU-IIT and take BS Microbiology or maybe transfer my slot to UPMin and take BS Biology.
For Context: I'm a dood that lives in Iligan City. In all things financially practical, my ass should just be going to MSU-IIT. "But did I really just review and take UPCAT for UP for nothing?" is an infuriating question that keeps popping in my mind every single time that I reminisce about the fact that I'm 95% likely going to IIT. Now, I don't really have anything against IIT. In fact, my old man who's a professor highly suggests that I just go to IIT since, according to him, the quality of education compared to LB is really just about the same.
I interviewed 4 alumnis from our school who are now currently studying in LB regarding the costs they have to pay every month while in UP. The general estimate is that they use up around P8-10k per month, maybe sometimes more, which includes their rent, food, and all that.
My family isn't rich or poor; we're middle class. I live with my grandma in Iligan, while my old man, my only parent, lives in Bukidnon along with our stepfamily. He works to feed my stepfamily over there while also building a house. He actually loaned quite a lot of money from the bank for their house which is still not completed. He currently can't support me due to his loans.
I want the take my opportunity to UP so I tried to find ways to support myself and not bother them while I go to UP. I don't think UPLB is possible even if I take jobs so that's out of the table, but I actually found out that you can transfer your slot to UPMin from my friend who passed UPLB but was DPWAS. He showed me a Google Form sent by the UPadmissions and then, to my surprise, BS Bio was available. I talked to a relative who once did sidejobs while studying in IIT that maybe I could do sidejobs to support myself in UPMin. We talked a bit about jobs and what sites to go to, and she encouraged me to go to UPMin. My thought process with the costs for UPMin is that it should be much lower compared to LB since it's not Manila area.
I introduced the idea of going to UPMin to my old man but he slanders UPMin and calls it a joke compared to IIT, saying that he's never heard anything from that campus, and he's never heard or seen anyone getting hired as a graduate from there? (what). He also states that IIT is a CoE, College of Excellence, in Biology while UPMin is just a CoD, College of Development.
I want to go to UPMin since it's UP and also because I'd also be with my doods but is it wise to go there or am I just very stupid?
submitted by FilipinoHermit to CollegeAdmissionsPH [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 15:24 Opening-Talk8657 Exploring the Impact of AI on Payments Industry: An Outlook for 2024

 Exploring the Impact of AI on Payments Industry: An Outlook for 2024
In the ever-evolving digital economy, the demand for faster, more robust, and secure payment solutions is paramount, highlighting the crucial role of payment technology. With the landscape continuously evolving, its imperative to understand the changing dynamics of the payments industry and anticipate emerging trends for 2024. Additionally, exploring the potential of AI in shaping the future of digital transactions provides valuable insights into the trajectory of the industry.
Fintech
The purpose of the blog Exploring the Impact of AI on Payments Industry: An Outlook for 2024 is to analyze the evolving role of AI in shaping the future of digital transactions and navigating key trends in the payments industry.
Learnings:
Digital Payment Trends: The digital economy demands faster, more robust, and secure payment solutions. Key trends include the projected growth of global digital payments revenue to and the widespread adoption of digital payments worldwide.
Role of AI in Shaping the Future: AI holds immense potential in revolutionizing digital transactions. Its ability to enhance security, streamline processes, and offer personalized experiences makes it a critical area for exploration in the payments industry.
Innovations in Payment Technology: From blockchain for cross-border payments to AI-driven fraud detection and biometric authentication, various technological advancements are reshaping the payments landscape. Technology providers play a crucial role in driving innovation, security, and efficiency across the financial ecosystem.
Implications of Regulatory Scrutiny: While AI promises significant benefits, its implementation raises concerns about data privacy and regulatory compliance. Financial institutions must navigate these challenges while harnessing the potential of AI to drive business growth and innovation.
Opportunities for Growth and Collaboration: With the evolving landscape of banking and FinTech in 2024, organizations have opportunities to explore new markets, expand partnerships, and embrace innovative solutions. Understanding and adapting to emerging trends will be key to staying competitive in the dynamic payments industry.
Navigating Digital Payments: Key Statistics and Trends
Digital payments are reshaping the financial landscape, and understanding these trends is essential for businesses, consumers, and policymakers alike. The potential of AI in shaping the future of digital transactions holds exciting possibilities, making it a critical area to explore. Lets delve into some key statistics and trends related to digital payments in the ever-evolving landscape.
Global Digital Payments Revenue:
By 2027, the global digital payments revenue is projected to reach an impressive $14.79 trillion.
The market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 11.79% from 2023 to 2027.
In 2023, the total global digital payments transaction value is estimated to be $9.47 trillion.
Global Adoption of Digital Payments:
Two-thirds (2/3) of adults worldwide are now using digital payments, with 89% adoption in the United States.
Developed countries have a higher adoption rate (95%) compared to developing countries (57%).
Approximately 84% of financial services account owners globally engage in digital transactions.
Ecommerce and Digital Wallets:
Ecommerce is projected to account for 24% of global consumer spend by 2026.
Digital wallets play a significant role, accounting for 49% of global ecommerce sales, while credit cards contribute 21%.
Top digital wallets in the U.S. include PayPal (36%), Apple Pay (20%), and Venmo (16%).
Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)
Nine in 10 central banks are exploring the concept of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
CBDCs could revolutionize the way we conduct transactions and enhance financial inclusion.
Unbanked Population:
While 76% of adults worldwide have a bank account or use a mobile money provider, approximately 1.4 billion adults remain unbanked.
Efforts to bridge this gap are crucial for financial inclusion and economic growth.
Analyzing the Current State of Innovation in the Payments Industry
The payments industry is widely perceived to be approaching a saturation point concerning technological interventions, according to numerous financial experts. Over the past few years, the FinTech revolution has gained considerable momentum, significantly simplifying customer experiences. Despite these advancements, there remains ample opportunity for enhancement across various facets of the industry.
One lens through which to examine innovation is by considering market drivers. For instance, the macroeconomic landscape of 2023 compelled many companies to prioritize operational efficiency over expansion. Managing costs, mitigating risks, and ensuring service quality became paramount for maintaining market share. Additionally, heightened consumer awareness emerged as a significant catalyst for this paradigm shift. Present-day consumers are more cognizant of the time value of money, checkout experiences, and safety considerations, all of which are poised to influence the trajectory of innovation in the industry.
A Recap of Payment Innovation in 2023
The year 2023 witnessed significant developments across various fronts in the payments industry. One notable highlight was the rebranding of several companies, indicative of their strategic positioning within the sector. These rebrandings often aimed to align with evolving market dynamics and underscore their commitment to serving as strategic partners for banking and financial institutions.
In terms of technological advancements, there was a notable focus on adopting AI-first solutions to enhance payment operations, reduce costs, and improve overall customer satisfaction. Companies showcased a range of innovative solutions leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as FedNow, blockchain, and omnichannel commerce.
Partnership ecosystems also saw expansion, with collaborations formed with leading tech companies like Google Cloud, AWS, Microsoft, Databricks, Stripe, Salesforce, and Checkmarx. Such alliances were aimed at fostering innovation and delivering value-added services to clients.
Looking ahead, there are plans for workforce growth and exploration of new markets, indicating a continued drive for expansion and innovation within the industry. Overall, 2023 was characterized by significant strides in technological innovation, partnership development, and strategic positioning within the payments landscape.
Exploring the Role of Technology Providers in the Evolving Payments Landscape
At the forefront of the banking and payments revolution are technology solution providers, working in tandem with both banking and non-banking financial institutions.
For banking institutions, the focus lies on modernizing legacy infrastructure to address scalability, agility, and performance limitations. Digital transformation initiatives enable banks to offer contemporary payment experiences, integrating emerging technologies like instant payments and buy-now-pay-later for enhanced convenience and flexibility. Adoption of advanced technologies such as APIs, serverless architecture, microservices, cloud-native frameworks, and data services further bolsters performance and security measures.
Successful modernization empowers banks to develop tailored solutions, enhancing customer value and competitiveness. Support in infrastructural upgrades, operational efficiency, and service excellence aids institutions in aligning with evolving customer expectations and thriving in a competitive landscape.
Non-banking institutions and FinTechs leverage technology partners to explore distinctive use cases and business models.
Collaborative efforts result in innovative solutions tailored to meet customer needs and preferences. Leveraging industry expertise, creative problem-solving, product engineering, and technological proficiency, these partners deliver value-added services that differentiate entities from competitors. Integration of cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain, AI, and deep analytics diversifies payment channels while ensuring regulatory compliance and robust security measures.
Exploring Innovations in the Payments Landscape: Use Cases and Providers
Lets delve into some key use cases and some prominent PayTech companies or technology providers that are reshaping the evolving payments landscape:
Blockchain for Cross-Border Payments:
Use Case: Blockchain technology enables secure, transparent, and real-time cross-border transactions.
Technology Providers: Companies like Ripple and Stellar offer blockchain-based solutions for seamless international payments.
AI-Powered Fraud Detection:
Use Case: AI algorithms analyze transaction patterns, detect anomalies, and prevent fraudulent activities in real time.
Technology Providers: Feedzai, Forter, and Kount specialize in AI-driven fraud prevention for payment processors and merchants.
Biometric Authentication:
Use Case: Biometrics (such as fingerprint or facial recognition) enhance security and streamline user authentication during payments.
Technology Providers: IDEMIA, BioCatch, and Veridium offer biometric authentication solutions.
Embedded Finance and APIs:
Use Case: Technology providers enable businesses to embed financial services directly into their platforms.
Technology Providers: Plaid, Adyen, and Stripe facilitate API-driven financial integrations.
Contactless Payments and NFC:
Use Case: Near Field Communication (NFC) technology allows users to make secure payments by tapping their smartphones or cards.
Technology Providers: Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay lead in contactless payment adoption.
Real-Time Payments Infrastructure:
Use Case: Technology providers build and maintain real-time payment rails for instant fund transfers.
Technology Providers: Volante Technologies, Jack Henry, and Finzly actively participate in the FedNow Pilot Program.
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL):
Use Case: BNPL services allow consumers to split payments into installments, enhancing affordability and flexibility.
Technology Providers: Affirm, Afterpay, and Klarna are popular BNPL providers.
AI-Driven Personalization:
Use Case: AI analyzes customer behavior to offer personalized payment options and targeted promotions.
Technology Providers: Personetics, ZestFinance, and DataRobot specialize in AI-driven personalization.
Open Banking and PSD2 Compliance:
Use Case: Technology providers facilitate secure data sharing between banks and third-party apps.
Technology Providers: Tink, Plaid, and Yodlee offer open banking solutions.
Automated Invoice Processing:
Use Case: AI automates invoice reconciliation, reducing manual effort and improving accuracy.
Technology Providers: Blue Prism, UiPath, and ABBYY provide intelligent automation for payment processing.
These technology providers or PayTech companies play a pivotal role in shaping the future of payments, driving innovation, security, and efficiency across the financial ecosystem.
Analyzing the Implications of the FedNow Service Launch on the U.S. Payments Landscape
The launch of the FedNow Service marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the U.S. payments landscape. Positioned to revolutionize payment processes, FedNow promises to facilitate instant peer-to-peer payments, bill pay, and e-commerce transactions, catering to customer-centric use cases.
Additionally, the FedNow framework prioritizes crucial aspects such as fraud prevention, liquidity management, and message standardization, all of which are integral to modernizing the U.S. payments system.
Various entities such as J.P. Morgan, Citi, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Volante Technologies, Jack Henry, Finzly, are actively engaged in the FedNow Pilot Program, showcasing early participation and expertise in providing end-to-end FedNow integration services. These services encompass gap analysis, identification of use cases, and the development of implementation roadmaps aimed at expediting development timelines, reducing costs, and mitigating risks associated with FedNow integration.
Preparing for the AI Revolution in Payments: Strategies for Industry Leaders
As the belief in AIs pivotal role in shaping the future of payments gains momentum, organizations across the financial sector are gearing up for this transformative shift.
MSys Technologies, recognized for its leadership in AI-first, Cloud-first solutions tailored to the financial industry, stands poised to assist financial institutions in accelerating their AI adoption journey. Addressing common early adoption challenges, such as tool inadequacy, data complexity, and scalability concerns, MSys Technologies offers comprehensive support to clients.
By conducting thorough assessments and providing actionable implementation roadmaps, MSys Technologies helps organizations navigate the complexities of AI integration. This encompasses various stages, including data preparation, model development, and deployment, ensuring a seamless transition towards AI-driven decision-making.
Central to this endeavor is the establishment of a resilient, flexible, and modern data ecosystem. MSys Technologies assists clients in building a unified data marketplace and implementing data-as-a-service capabilities to streamline data management processes. Moreover, integrated data governance policies are put in place to uphold security standards and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
In aligning with the AI revolution, MSys Technologies empowers financial institutions to harness the power of data and drive critical business decisions effectively.
Navigating the Future of Banking and FinTech in 2024: Insights and Opportunities
As we step into 2024, the banking and FinTech sectors are poised for continued evolution and innovation. With ISO 20022 emerging as a global standard for payment messages, financial institutions are prioritizing its adoption to facilitate seamless cross-border transactions. The integration of contextual data flow not only reduces friction points but also presents an opportunity for delivering enhanced payment experiences to both retail and business customers.
Looking ahead, blockchain and distributed ledger technologies are anticipated to play a significant role in easing cross-border payments, offering promising solutions to existing challenges in the payment landscape.
However, as AI assumes a more prominent role, it brings along genuine concerns regarding its implementation and impact. Regulatory scrutiny is expected to intensify, with governments monitoring AI-related activities for potential unfair or harmful implications. In this context, adherence to existing federal laws and the development of comprehensive regulatory frameworks will be paramount.
Navigating this evolving landscape necessitates a nuanced understanding of AI usage, data collection, and risk mitigation strategies. Data privacy emerges as a central concern, underscoring the importance of robust controls and regular model testing to ensure compliance and safeguard consumer interests.
In embracing innovation with AI while adhering to regulatory requirements, organizations position themselves favorably to navigate the evolving landscape of banking and FinTech in 2024.
Reference site - https://www.msystechnologies.com/blog/exploring-the-impact-of-ai-on-payments-industry-an-outlook-for-2024/
submitted by Opening-Talk8657 to u/Opening-Talk8657 [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 15:23 venom_doku How to approach clients online

Hello, I am a 17 year old Graphics Designer and I've spent the last 3 years learning basic 3D modelling, Web Design, and every other form of designing you can think of instead of Paying attention to school.
I just finished my board exams (GCSE Equivalent) and now I don't want to go to college. Instead I want to work on my graphic design career and I already have an Instagram portfolio with 70 followers. I have had 4 clients up until now but all of them came from my friends who referred me. I never approached anyone
And that's because I don't know how.
I'd say I'm a better designer than most and I've even done projects better than design agencies in my country (Bangladesh).
But now since I'm not going to college I have to make my own living but I don't know how to approach clients or even who to approach. I've seen multiple cold call videos and I learned bits and pieces.
But I don't know WHO should I call. And WHERE do I find potential clients.
That's why I came to reddit for help and my DMs are open if anyone wants to visit my insta. Thanks
submitted by venom_doku to Advice [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 15:21 supercali-2021 Loans, scholarships, grants - what else is there?

Hello my kid will be heading off to university soon and we're trying to figure out how we're going to pay for it. We prefer not to take out loans unless we absolutely have to (we already have too much debt). We completed the FAFSA and it's basically saying work-study and loans. My son did get 1 small scholarship that will cover 10% of the costs! Unbelievably we make too much to qualify for a pell grant, which blows my mind because we are definitely lower income and living very frugally and paycheck to paycheck. Is there any other form of aid that we're not thinking of? Also since our income is apparently too high to qualify for grants and other scholarships,if nothing changes, is there any point to filling out the FAFSA going forward (unless we have a significant loss of income)? Thanks
submitted by supercali-2021 to financialaid [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 15:17 Comprehensive_Sign_4 Should I sign a resignation form that includes a statement that I have no claims or grounds for claims against my employer?

So a little background, I am a teacher and I was in an adaptive classroom that was dangerously understaffed and was being bullied by my TA and her clique so badly I had to quit. (I am gay and she was homophobic) I had took a sign on bonus with a 2 year term. My boss at the time said they'd find me a different position if I signed their pre typed resignation form. I did it and then didn't end up taking a position for a couple months. Fast forward to now it's almost the end of the year and there was some weird stuff with my pay( they were not paying me for my experience level) . I am on an interim contract and not planning on coming back to teach but don't want to burn any bridges because in the distant future I may want to come back as a principal. They're telling me again I have to sign this same resignation form to stay in good stading with the district. It says " I wish to state that I have no claims or grounds for any claims against my employer based upon my time of employment with (district name) and am submitting this resignation of my own free will. They're pressuring me to sign it saying they can't hire someone for the position until I sign it but I just feel weird about that part. Should I just sign it and move on?
submitted by Comprehensive_Sign_4 to legaladvice [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 15:13 Primary_Canary_2317 My(32F) boyfriend (32M) has been going through a divorce for over 2 1/2 years and now the ex is trying to involve me in it

My(32F) boyfriend (32M) has been going through a divorce for over 2 1/2 years and now the ex is trying to involve me in it
Okay so my boyfriend let's call him G, has been going through a really nasty divorce/custody case, let's call his ex M. They have one child together well call them A.
I've been with G for almost two years and we just had a baby unexpectedly. G is fully retired from the military and stays home with the baby while I work I have a great career that is the perfect work/life balance so it didn't make sense for me to stay home and he go to work(he also already had his career and there's no need for him to continue to work after being deployed and what not), he pays child support every week for A even before it was court ordered.
M has been nothing but combative and refuses to come to any agreement for a divorce. She keeps contesting and won't agree to any custody agreement other than us only see A on the weekends. We do now see A on the weekends but G is wanting more as he should be able to see his child more than twice a week. M has no job and lives with a family member. I make good money and Gs retirement is pretty decent. Now G doesn't have much left over money for extras once the bills and child support is paid, so I'm the one who buys A all of their clothes, shoes, school supplies and what else A may need. I have absolutely no problem doing so and have never complained, I make more than enough for all of us, but I will not pay for M to live. I do purchase mother days gift, birthday or Christmas gifts from A to M, also with no complaints as it's for the child and it makes them happy.
Now that the judge is really pushing to get their divorced finalized as it's been almost 3 years of a constant battle, M wants to motion for my financial statement. I have no problem providing my statement as long as my income can't be used for child support, I feel like I contribute more than enough without hesitation. Like I said I will not pay for M to live while she has no job.
Can my income be used? We are in Massachusetts if that matters
submitted by Primary_Canary_2317 to Ask_Lawyers [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 15:11 katelovesmeiu Professional Challenger Coach Verified Metafy & Coachify Partner Eight Years of Coaching Experience Over 7.000 Sessions Held Over 4.000 Students US Collegiate Coach Guaranteed Improvement & Personalized Plans Available Coaching Subscriptions & Individual Sessions Discord > shelbion👑

Book Your Free Consultation Today! > Discord @ shelbion

About Me

My name is Shelbion and I've been an avid League of Legends player for over a decade. In Season 4, I reached Challenger for the first time and even considered pursuing a professional career. However, after much reflection, I decided to pursue other challenges within the game.
Some of my notable achievements as a player include:

Coaching

With over 7.000 hours of coaching experience, I fall into the category of one of the most experienced individuals in the field. My experience, passion, and ability to identify your flaws and tailor each session to your needs make me stand out as a Coach.
I've studied the techniques of renowned coaches, such as LS, MagiFelix, and others, and I've developed my unique coaching approach. So far, my approach has helped countless individuals, and over 20 teams advance their competitive play, across 5 different continents, including members of various College and University eSport Teams.
Some of my notable achievements include:
I am dedicated to continuously honing my skills and providing the best coaching experience possible to all of my clients, regardless of their rank or location.

Subscription Based Coaching

Verifications & Certifications

Community

In addition to my experience as a Player, I am also the Founder of Noxus Coaching - a rapidly growing, educational community on Discord. Our community is a great place to find new friends to play with, have a good time, and most importantly, improve your skills.
We hold various events on a weekly basis, including 1v1 & 5v5 tournaments, meme contests, and more. There are plenty of rewards to be won, including free coaching sessions with me. To join our community, visit https://discord.gg/RHW9BMxRd5 and message me upon joining to receive your role.

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We will schedule an initial Interview during which we can discuss your goals and I can provide a more detailed explanation of my coaching services. This interview will typically last for 3-5 minutes.
The First Session is designed to assess your current level of gameplay and identify areas for improvement. After conducting an analysis, I will create a Personalized Coaching Plan tailored to your specific needs. This plan will outline a series of sessions designed to maximize your improvement.
The Coaching Plan may include various session types, such as:
All sessions will be personalized and created specifically for each student's needs. By following this plan, you can feel confident that you are taking the most effective steps to achieve your goals.

Personalized Support (Available 24/7)

In addition to the structured coaching sessions, I offer personalized support to my clients on a 24/7 basis. Whether you have a specific question or just want to debrief after a tough game, I am always available to help. Simply message me and I will respond as quickly as possible.

AvailabilityPricesPayments

I am able to cover any server and any timezone! Rates for both Private and Team coaching are negotiable. We will easily get the sessions to fit your budget and your needs.
Payments are usually done through PayPal, however other forms of Payment such as Direct Transfer can be discussed.

Contact

Main form of contact is Discord on which you can find me at shelbion (Or Shelbion#8832)
Feel free to message me either on Discord or through a Direct Message on Reddit and I will come back to you as quickly as possible.
submitted by katelovesmeiu to LeagueCoaching [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 15:09 MedProRecruitingPH Weekly Pay! Appointment Setter! Pure Remote

Job Details:
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2024.05.14 15:08 Primary_Canary_2317 My(32F) boyfriend (32M) has been going through a divorce for over 2 1/2 years and now the ex is trying to involve me in it

Okay so my boyfriend let's call him G, has been going through a really nasty divorce/custody case, let's call his ex M. They have one child together well call them A.
I've been with G for almost two years and we just had a baby unexpectedly. G is fully retired from the military and stays home with the baby while I work I have a great career that is the perfect work/life balance so it didn't make sense for me to stay home and he go to work(he also already had his career and there's no need for him to continue to work after being deployed and what not), he pays child support every week for A even before it was court ordered.
M has been nothing but combative and refuses to come to any agreement for a divorce. She keeps contesting and won't agree to any custody agreement other than us only see A on the weekends. We do now see A on the weekends but G is wanting more as he should be able to see his child more than twice a week. M has no job and lives with a family member. I make good money and Gs retirement is pretty decent. Now G doesn't have much left over money for extras once the bills and child support is paid, so I'm the one who buys A all of their clothes, shoes, school supplies and what else A may need. I have absolutely no problem doing so and have never complained, I make more than enough for all of us, but I will not pay for M to live. I do purchase mother days gift, birthday or Christmas gifts from A to M, also with no complaints as it's for the child and it makes them happy.
Now that the judge is really pushing to get their divorced finalized as it's been almost 3 years of a constant battle, M wants to motion for my financial statement. I have no problem providing my statement as long as my income can't be used for child support, I feel like I contribute more than enough without hesitation. Like I said I will not pay for M to live while she has no job.
Can my income be used legally? We are in Massachusetts if that matters
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2024.05.14 15:07 bimbodhisattva My manager was right

She told me repeatedly that I wouldn’t want to come back after experiencing nursing in a state with good laws and unions, as a nurse that worked for UC for 30 years… I told her I’d definitely come back for a bit if for nothing but to tell everyone how it goes and maybe help improve things.
Nope, she was totally correct. I literally cannot imagine going back to work in my home state. That place SUCKS. I thought that since I was going into it knowing that it sucked by comparison, that I’d be able to think about my future plans accurately. I was wrong, haha.
I don’t think I could ever work in a state without ratios or mandatory rest breaks every again. Not to mention, the access to healthcare for the general public here is so much better… The hospital actually advances people on the pay scale instead of such a thing being basically a myth… Patients are in soooo much better health, too. Even the CNAs are well-staffed (by comparison, at least) and certainly well-equipped to do their job. It’s like night and day for me.
Staff drama, while present universally in some form, is normal instead of batshit levels of insane (or inane). All the equipment works. The charge actually makes sure things are going well. Upper management isn’t entirely unnecessary individuals lining their pockets. I feel like I’m living in a reality I didn’t know could exist.
It’s not perfect, but it’s almost the best we have in the US. Yeah, I’m not sure I could leave.
Bonus thoughts: there’s a nurse here planning on moving to the south because ratios are similar and property tax, etc. is much cheaper. I highly doubt she’s prepared for the reality of the situation—even though the ratios may be comparable where she’s going, she has no idea how much more work it is and how much worse generally the places can be… Before I left, a nurse moved to my old hospital from the East Coast for similar reasons, and immediately started bemoaning the lack of basic services (both for patients in the community and things like maintenance of city infrastructure). I was like, come on, it’s not all sunshine and tornadoes out here 😭 there’s always a catch!
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2024.05.14 15:06 sebol011 Engineer needing a backup plan

I’m 28, an engineer living in the US and I don’t enjoy engineering work as I’ve experienced it but I’m trying to hold out a little longer to get into work i believe I would really love. However I’m at a point I need a good plan B for if/when I’m ready to change careers.
Until I was a senior in high school I thought I was going to go into some form of wildlife biology/zoology but years of people telling me I’d be a good engineer and how much better money and job security it had I gave in. I got my degree in biological engineering thinking it would be the best aligned with my interests and easiest to change back to biology if I wanted, but then I really enjoyed the curriculum. I began looking for jobs in an environmental or water resources role but had trouble finding jobs because recruiters didn’t know what my degree was. I’ve worked as an agricultural engineer doing conservation and sustainability work for a federal agency and as a civil engineer working on infrastructure and land development projects for a consulting firm. Neither job I’ve enjoyed enough to see myself doing until I retired. As a student and intern I learned about ecological and habitat restoration work which I’m still really interested in doing. Both jobs I’ve been at have been involved with that but I’ve been on different teams and haven’t been able to get experience or training in those skills. This year I committed to start paying for my own training but there are very few firms doing that work in my region and there are almost no openings.
I stopped getting to help with field work when COVID began and have since realized that most engineering work is being stuck in an office staring at a computer and it drives me crazy. I would much rather do something where I could be active for part of my job and/or work outdoors for part of the week.
My main interests are wildlife and nature, outdoor recreation, and exercise. The current options I’m considering are wildlife biology, personal training, or starting an aquaponic farming business. Wildlife biology would probably be the best to work in something I’m really interested in doing but the thought of paying for a masters degree just to take a significant pay cut is hard to justify. The other too are things I enjoy at a hobby scale but I don’t know if it’s feasible or if I’d enjoy it enough to scale to a full time job.
What are some important considerations with my current options and more paths I should research?
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2024.05.14 15:05 ewk The Zen Lifestyle

One of the biggest challenges in Zen scholarship is connecting the dots between koans, which are historical records in the form of transcripts of real people having real conversations. Where religions and philosophies tend to produce sermons and book long arguments, Zen Masters mostly just answered questions. This leaves the audience to piece together a coherent whole from these koan interviews.

Zhaozhou's Lifestyle

Easily the most beloved Zen Master in human history, Zhaozhou was also famous for his very short answers, often in the form of entendres, often using quotes. Here are two quotes that independently are fine, but together cause some problems:
  1. A monk asked, "During the twenty-four hours, how is mind put to use?" The master said, "You are used by the twenty-four hours; I use the twenty-four hours. Which of these 'times' are you talking about?"
    • Time spent in the movie theater is not the same as time spent in court pleading innocent to felony charges; those are lifestyle choices.
  2. A monk asked, "What is your intention?" The Master said, "There is no method to it."
    • "No method" is certainly a lifestyle.

What's the big picture?

Zhaozhou argues that his "using the 24 hours" lifestyle does not depend on methods, at least when you put the Cases side-by-side. Whatever conclusion we draw from this we can of course test, by putting these Cases side-by-side with other Cases from Zhaozhou, or even other Masters.
But what is the result?
Zhaozhou once remarked that the Family Custom in Zen was "having nothing inside, seeking for nothing outside" which strikes me as more of a summary of previous teachings than a teaching. Does that betray a "having" or a "method"?

You make the rules

What's interesting to me is whether people would be willing to embrace this "use the 24 hours" AT THE SAME TIME as "having no method". It seems like these two statements represent opposite poles in modern pop culture, with people either working hard at life or people not having a strategy for anything from paying the bills to education to creative contribution to society.

.

Welcome! ewk comment: What does "no method" look like though when you are so deliberately engaged in everything you do?
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