https://www.reddit.com/ToxicRelationships/s/WTepBvgGwX
This was a month ago, since then you told us that you are getting weekly loans from someone shady with a ridiculous return rate, you returned to your parents suddenly, and now you have almost overdosed on cocaine and alcohol.
Just today you have told us about how you've discovered some things you didn't know about your mom, you said it was refreshing and freeing to discover this. I was surprised, I didn't expect you to do this, I was happy for you, I encouraged you to keep that up.
Little did I know it was the cocaine talking, five hours later you sent us a photo of a wine you drank, and 40 minutes later you sent a picture from the ambulance, and little by little you told us what happened.
I kinda thought it was either this or you attempted suicide with pills and alcohol, didn't want to say it, didn't want it to be true.
I understand you're sick, that you feel lost, that you don't know how to move on from your toxic behavior, but all I want right now is to drive to your hospital and give you a head smack you'll see stars.
You think I didn't have these thoughts? You think I don't have these thoughts right now? How dare you fucking do that shit to yourself instead of fighting? I have been fighting this battle longer than you, how dare you give up?
Because if you'd die tonight I would be destroyed, because i had to keep my headspace from falling apart when I told you you need to find another place to stay after staying with me for 1.5 weeks, and I would blame myself because that's just how my brain works.
I don't need this right now, I can't handle anymore random heart shattering shit right now, this year have already been enough after 2023 was my worst year ever.
I am your friend, and I worry for you, but I can't handle anymore of this.

Newly dx’d but not yet on meds. There is a ton of practical and theoretical knowledge that I’ve amassed over the years. I classify them as “the things I used to know”. Making musical instruments, making shoes, drafting from scratch and tailoring a complicated garment, deep dive independent research on primary source historical event with 25 books read multiple times and sitting on my shelf. Now I could barely string together 3 sentences to explain the topic.
I recently wrote a serious essay again using around 25 sources (too much I know but it was a Cracker Jack essay) and recently the topic came up in conversation and I just thought hm, I think that topic seems familiar.
I was a cabinetmaker but I wouldn’t dare touch a table saw bc I know I’d cut a finger off. I rode a motorcycle for years but right now I couldn’t tell you which is the clutch and which is the brake or shifter.
I’ll do really complicated (correct!) notes on making complicated drapes and the next day it looks like gibberish but I know I can take them to the store and buy the right hardware, and material quantities and trust those notes. It’s like a message from another person.
Good lord tell me stims might allow that connection between executive function and the other part of my brain so I might have access to my knowledge. Is there any hope? Or is it all just gone gone gone? I’m just not finding anything on this issue.
Fingers crossed someone can share their experience with this. I can’t be the only one. Thanks in advance :)

Because nothing screams "I hear you, brother," more than telling another person to kill themselves, based on their creed or political affiliation.
That you have your own worldview, and you want to share it with your neighbors? Man that's like, so edgy! You should settle for making stupid online posts, ridiculing anyone who dares to distance themselves even remotely from the majority opinion.
If you ever feel sad, or you feel that the world is not dancing around you, it is your duty to shut up and put up with it, because you could make the rest of the people next to you uncomfortable.
Remember that you have earned everything bad that has happened to you in life; social inequalities, mistreatment and censorship are justified.

Context: Me(7) and my family were living in the South of France ~2005, we have been living there for a while and never really noticed anything weird. It was just your average little French town with not much commotion. It'll be short as its long time ago.
In the summer of 2005 ish we went to visit a friend of ours (late evening) who lived a few kilometers upstream in a valley, the way there to is a small road with not much lights and a lot of trees. Theres no one living inbetween the 2 of us. So we were neighbours but we just live 5km apart. All thats between us is dense forest with a river. So my dad(37) drove us to his place to hang out but he was quite different this time, like he was on the lookout for something. But i thought nothing of it. Later we hang out at the friends place and its start to get late. So we decide to head back home. As we were driving i noticed my dad again being on the lookout for something like he was paranoid. Keep in mind me and my 2 brothers were talking in the back seat so it wasn't awfully quiet yet. As we were about 2km from our house there is a big bend in the road wich is known for accidents so we slowed down to be carefull.
Then in the middle of the bend my dad hit the brakes. Me and my brothers get rocked forward and we all look out the front window, there was a man from flesh meat and blood. In the middle of the road, wearing a long black leather jacket with a hat and sunglasses, god knows how he sees at midnight, we stand there still for about 20seconds all looking at one another, he at us we at him, its afwully quiet, no crickets no birds nothing couldnt even hear the waters of the river below. Then he keeps walking over the street towards the treeline jumping over the railing and dissappear. To where he went? I have no idea there is not a single house nearby except for ours and our friends. All i know is we took a minute to process what happend and we stayed afwully quiet for a couple days. All in shook. I remember my dad keeping up with the local paper to see if some prisonee had escaped or similarly. But no nothing, we never had anything like that happen again to us but I dont wish so, every time we pass there i still get chicken skin.
I dont dare to bring this up as i just feel like i shouldn't. 19 years ago and i still have a bad feeling about that. I just needed to share this to have off my chest.

chapters 1&2
chapter 3
chapter 4
chapter 5
chapter 6
chapter 7
chapter 8
chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
The lecture was supposed to be on Rationality 101, apparently not for Newcomers only. Serene was there to have her back but G was having a hard time focusing.
The boring black uniform more fitting for a hotel receptionist defaced the godlike beauty standing in front of a huge screen. Gentry couldn’t believe her eyes: this was the man she had her hands on a little while ago?
No, it couldn’t be.
It had been just an avatar, too perfect in its unblemished visage, too pure for this world. Yet the man whose face she remembered as if it was etched on the back of her eyelids, who she’d been constantly thinking about, who her hands itched to snatch, was standing right there, in the flesh.
Back in the dreamy simulated world she caught herself thinking that a trim waist like this couldn’t anatomically work on a human, yet here he was: a towering spread of fit shoulders perfectly balanced above the flexible whip of his midsection. The light-grey eyes that betrayed every movement of his pupils were as real as the ones that reflected the mock moon during her test. Below them lay the sharp slope of the cheekbones one could cut themselves on.
The only thing a bit different, apart from the outfit choice, was the young god’s hair. In the simulation, it was flowing and probably too long to be practical. This person’s mane was much shorter and fell down his neck in a neat ponytail, tastefully tamed with a single hairpin.
She had to get her hands on this treasure.
He was making last minute preparations for the lecture, looking through the papers on the desk, dark strands framing his face, light grey eyes sharp in careful concentration.
Professor Q, huh.
He said this was his name, and so did the note on the lecture hall door.
She was sure it was the man who had melted in her arms making the most delicious sounds a male throat could produce.
Had he recognised her?
Unlikely.
At the time of the simulation session, she didn’t have a camera that could pick up her facial features but just to be on the safe side, she decided to go by “G” in his class. There were bound to be lots of people with a name starting with a G, right? What would be the odds it was this particular newcomer that Q had tested that would end up in his class?
The man finally lifted his eyes at the audience and a gentle smile momentarily graced his features before disappearing as if he didn’t see someone he’d expected to.
The holoboard on the wall behind him obediently lit up following his nonchalant gesture. Gentry found it annoying that one needed a pair of special glasses to see all the augmented reality stuff and really navigate the city but again, with Sereen’s help she had more or less gotten used to it in the couple of days she had to deal with the necessities like settling down, getting food and finding her way around Ashtapada.
Still, could they use a piece of chalk or, at least, a marker to write on the board? No need to show off your Fully Automated Luxury Space Communism tech just to write a couple of notes on the board!
On second thought, high-tech-crazy or not, if this city brought up men like this one, she would definitely do her best to stay here to… reap the benefits!
They took a desk next to a huge clear floor-to-ceiling window that overlooked the winter garden.
“Professor Q seems a little distracted today,” Sereen said, swiftly tapping a couple of buttons on G’s wrist to show her how to confirm that she was attending the lecture. “He’s usually much more chatty and friendly. I wonder what got into him.”
“Is he?” Gentry responded with an artificial air of indifference. “I just hope he’s more open to a discussion than that Poe guy.”
“He is! And Professor Poe isn’t that bad,” Sereen reprimanded before chuckling a little — since his little secret became known to students, he became known as Holopoe. “Just wait and see, it’s gonna be a blast. Q’s lectures are always very engaging.”
It proved to be utter bullshit.
After fiddling with the symbols on the interactive screen for ten minutes into the class, students getting more and more agitated behind his back, the lecturer seemed to give up. Turning back to the audience, he absentmindedly nodded to a couple of people in the lecture hall and sighed with a painfully fake smile.
“For today’s class, we are going to need to read a certain extract from a book,” he said, tone apologetic for some reason, but it solidified G’s conviction that she already knew this person. “I’ve just sent it to each of your wristcomms. We’ll have some quiet time and read it by ourselves, alright?”
“Reading from the comm?” Sereen mumbled to herself. “Couldn’t he just print them out?”
The rest of the students’ grumbles showed that they shared her disappointment. Q could only hopelessly smile again before returning to his work on the board.
Reading from the little semi-transparent screens was indeed torture. Quickly giving up on trying to awkwardly use gestures for scrolling through the text, she looked out of the window to entertain herself with the garden outside. From the modest height they were sitting at, the people below were quite discernible, partly hidden by the greenery, spread here and there in small groups and pairs. Gentry longed to be there, too. What was the use of being here with the most attractive person in the whole world if the only thing she could see was his back?
Well, the back didn’t look half bad, if she was honest, and what was below also pleased the eye.
But still. It would soon bore even the most easily entertained.
Her gaze fell to a small clearing where a lone male figure was sitting, writing something in a notebook. By the looks of it, the notebook was a real paper-made thing without the bells and whistles usual for Ashtapada. The next thing G noticed was a pair of slender legs, barefoot, stretched to dip the toes into the clear water of the artificial stream.
God bless the urban designers of this place!
The figure lifted the head and in an inconceivably graceful motion, swung the long blond bangs away from the face.
G straightened her back. Was it... Ok, maybe Q was the most handsome man she’d seen in her life but this... This was the younger boy she’d noticed a couple of days back, the one in a plaid skirt, shamelessly flirting with everyone within reach. Today, he wasn’t wearing one but the blue jeans hugging his thighs, rolled up almost to the knees, presented a picture just as tantalizing. Even with the hair was a completely different colour, even though the half-up, half-down style kept his face hidden, she was absolutely certain it was the same person.
Just you wait, young beauty, as soon as this “lecture” was over, your princess in shining armour was coming to pick you up!
Suddenly snapping out of the dull weariness, she turned on the auglasses S helped her obtain earlier and tapped away on her comm screen.
What a chance to give the local text sharing feature a go!
“The garden is pretty, but with a blossom like you, it is truly breathtaking. I wonder if anyone has picked this sweet flower or if anyone dares to,” she typed a cheesy note and folded the message into a neat 3D figurine of an origami paper crane with her fingers in the air.
Was S watching? Screw it, even if she was, she couldn’t read the message with her glasses off, right?
Carefully aiming the device at the lone figure, she launched the crane downwards, and it fluttered like a weightless butterfly in spirals, through the glass and right into the young man’s lap, not disturbing the notebook pages. He started at first at the intrusion but then turned his own glasses on and unfolded the message. A shy smile appeared on his plump lips, and he looked flattered, turning his head around to see if the sender was in sight. Catching no one, he typed something below the initial message and deftly folded it back into a crane that, to G’s surprise, flew directly at her, in uneven spirals along the wall. The man traced it with a smile, propping himself back on his arms, his whole slim body and face on full display now.
God, was he good-looking.
Easily passing the physical border of the glass again, the crane crashed into Gentry’s wristcomm, dutifully delivering the message and betraying her tactical position at the same time. An amused kind of surprise showed on the young man’s face and he waved at her to show that she had been exposed. She waved back, trying to look nonchalant but probably failing miserably.
Very smooth, G, way to go.
The message read, “Is a flower only good for looking at? Not this one.”
Oooh, this boy was playing with fire!
“Hey, G,” Sereen nudged. “Have you finished reading?”
“Mm? Oh, yeah.” Gentry lied easily. She had skimmed the first couple of paragraphs and was sure she’d be able to come up with something if asked.
“Done everybody?” the deep gentle voice called from the holoboard and G’s attention snapped back to the dignified face.
The class murmured affirmatively.
“I’m sorry today’s lecture isn’t as fun as usual,” he admitted. “I must say I’m still unsure how to approach such complex topic as this one. But with your help, I hope we’ll figure it out.”
Everyone seemed to perk up.
“You just read an extract on paradoxes,” Q went on. “And you might be wondering why we are raising a philosophical topic on a rational thinking course.”
“There you go,” Sereen whispered. “He’s back to normal!”
G humphed. This did seem interesting. Was it a good idea to read the extract after all?
Q continued, “In the text, you might have encountered the definition of a paradox. Would anyone explain it with their own words?”
A raised hand and the lecturer’s nod brought some courageous soul to their feet.
“It’s when you start with the correct premises, use consistent logic but wind up with an impossible conclusion,” they said. “There are three types: falsidical, veridical and antimony-type, which are...”
“Correct,” Q smiled and nodded the person back down. It was a smile worth starting a thousand wars over.
“Now there’s a reason why I asked you to read about them. Why do you think people have been fascinated with paradoxes for such a long time?”
S raised her hand and received a kind invitation.
“I might be wrong,” she said. “But it seems that they point at the limitations of our thinking, things that seem rational but in fact aren’t. We feel that with our all-conquering logic we can solve any puzzle but it’s not always the case. Right?”
“This is very insightful,” the teacher confirmed. “It is believed by many that what’s rational is true and therefore what rationality cannot explain must be false.”
“I definitely know someone who would die on that hill,” Gentry grumbled under her breath.
“I’m sorry?” Q asked. “Is there something you wanted to add... sorry, I don’t know your name?”
Still half mad with professor Poe, Gentry stood up. “It’s G, I’m a Newcomer. I was saying how a human mind can fool itself into thinking it knows what it looks at as long as it makes sense. But in reality, it’s not there, like the sky.”
That was the only thing she remembered from that last lecture! She felt the tips of her ears heat up but the kind and considering look on Q’s face showed her gamble paid off.
“These are very insightful observations, G, why don’t we try exploring them together?” — he waived her to sit down and turned back to the class — “Five minutes to discuss how paradoxes might reveal the weaknesses of rational thinking. Send your answers to the board when you’re done.”
“Whoa, daring as usual,” Sereen smiled. “I knew you’d enjoy his class.”
“Now, consider these two questions,” Q said to another student who stood up at his hand wave. “If an unstoppable force meets an indestructible object, what is going to happen?”
The person seemed to contemplate it for a while and the teacher didn’t rush him.
“Isn’t it one of those which are impossible to solve because the existence of the one automatically disproves the existence of the other?”
Q nodded, “Correct. The second one about the barber in a small town is of the same sort. Sereen?”
S stood up too, “The one that shaves all and only men that don’t shave themselves?”
“Yes,” he confirmed. “At first, a premise like this seems perfectly reasonable, doesn’t it?”
“It does,” S responded, somewhat rashly. “But it’s clear that a barber like this cannot exist.”
“Wait, really?” Gentry whispered as Q nodded in satisfaction and urged her friend to go on.
“Yes, if we ask ourselves if this barber shaves himself. If he doesn’t, then he is part of the group which he does shave that do not shave themselves, but if he is in this group, then he does shave himself which makes it impossible for him to be this barber by definition.”
While the rest of the class was catching up with the logic, Q’s smile got only wider, more inviting.
“What does it tell us about the nature of the premise then?” he asked.
“That although it seems that it sounds logical on the surface, it is in fact nonsense and we don’t even need to hear the rest of the riddle to discard it completely,” S concluded.
The man chuckled.
“Well, I wouldn’t be that brash, to be honest, but on balance, you’re right,” he said. “If you stay after the lecture, I might recommend a couple of books on the topic. Your Newcomer friend is welcome to stay, too.”
G put up the best of the aloof fronts, “I’d be happy to, Professor.”
“Q is fine,” he smiled again and went on addressing the rest of the class that immediately exploded into a heated discussion.
***
“Basically, what I think we’re supposed to learn from this,” S concluded after a while, standing up so that everyone could hear her. “Is that before applying rationality, we have to make sure that all the premises we are dealing with are in fact realistic. Otherwise, there is no way rational thinking will help us.”
“Excellently put, as always,” Q applauded. “I’d love to see if everyone agrees or has something else to add to the discussion but our time is up. Feel free to write me a letter with your reflections on the topic.”
As interesting as the class was, the urge to leave the premises as soon as the teacher dismissed everyone seemed to be universal and applicable even to the Ashtapadans.
“I have to go now,” Sereen said. “Text you later, ok?” And with a reciprocal nod to Q, disappeared in the doors, joining the rest of the students.
Sadly, she couldn’t recall what they were talking about after the lecture, nor what titles Professor recommended for some home reading. She just hoped she didn’t make a fool of herself.
What Gentry did remember though was that after Q left as well and she came up to the panoramic window, Sereen and the mysterious flower boy were leaving the garden together. And it was hard not to notice that her new friend took off her wristcomm before they took off, and hid it in the tall grass.

Date: 05/21/2024

Reading time: 10 minutes, 2056 words

🪖 Military

Armenia participates in NATO's Regex 2024 headquarters exercise in Moldova

Armenia is participating in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Regex 2024 headquarters exercise that have started in Moldova on May 20. The military exercises will be held from May 20 to 24. They are attended by about 30 representatives from NATO partner countries.

Armenpress

Armenian army factor is important for security guarantees, but it is not the only one - Security Council Secretary

Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan said in an interview with Civilnet that having combat-ready and effective armed forces is very important for ensuring security guarantees. Attempts have been made over the past 6 years to expand the notion of security, he said.

ArkaAm

NATO and Armenia strengthen cooperation in defense education

Representatives from the Armenian Ministry of Defense met with their counterparts at NATO Headquarters at the end of April. Reviewed activities conducted within the framework of NATO’s Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP) for Armenia. Set out the plan of joint activities for the rest of the year and for 2025.

ArmRadio

Funeral procession of Iranian president Raisi starts in Tabriz

The funeral procession of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and seven others killed in a helicopter crash began in the northwestern city of Tabriz on Tuesday morning. Another funeral service is scheduled to be held in the holy city of Qom on Tuesday evening. The president will be laid to rest on May 23 at noon in Mashhad in northeastern Iran.

Armenpress, The National Assembly observes minute of silence for Iranian President and staff lost in helicopter crash

🏛️ Politics & Government

Azerbaijani FM makes phone call to Iran's acting Foreign Minister

Jeyhun Bayramov and Ali Bagheri held phone conversation on May 21, Azerbaijani media reports say. Bayramv expressed condolences to Iranian government and people of Iran on tragic death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.

Armenpress

Armenian, Slovenian foreign ministries address security implications of recent developments

Political consultations between the ministries of foreign affairs of Armenia and Slovenia were held in Yerevan. The parties emphasized the importance of further deepening the political dialogue between the two countries. The latest international and regional developments were addressed at the meeting.

Armenpress

Joint statement adopted at the International Conference on Nuclear Security; Armenia joins

A Co-Presidents’ Joint Statement was adopted during the International Conference on Nuclear Security held in Vienna on May 20-21. Armenia, among other participating countries, joined the Statement.

Armenpress

Alen Simonyan, Ruslan Stefanchuk discuss the security situation in the South Caucasus and Ukraine

The Armenian National Assembly President Alen Simonyan and the Speaker of the Verkhovna (Supreme) Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk held via video conference. The interlocutors discussed the security situation in the South Caucasus and in Ukraine.

Armenpress, Armenian, Ukrainian Parliament Speakers discuss situation in the South Caucasus and Ukraine

Armenia top security official receives CIA deputy director

Secretary of the Armenian Security Council Armen Grigoryan received a delegation from the CIA. Issues related to Armenia-US bilateral cooperation as well as regional security were discussed at the meeting.

Armenpress, Armen Grigoryan and Hamad Khamis Al-Kubaisi discuss prospects for Armenia-Qatar relations, Pashinyan holds meeting with CIA deputy director, Armenia, Qatar discuss developing economic relations, Pashinyan discussed issues related to the Armenia-US and international agenda with the deputy head of the US CIA, Armenian PM, CIA Deputy Director discuss international, regional issues, Armenia-Qatar ties discussed in Doha

Moldova signs security and defence partnership with EU

Moldova has signed a security and defence partnership with the European Union. It is the first country to sign such a deal with the EU. The deal will allow to jointly address common security challenges.

Armenpress

Mirzoyan and Floyd highlight comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty's role in non- proliferation and nuclear disarmament

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization Robert Floyd in Vienna. The role of the Treaty in non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament was emphasized on both sides.

Armenpress

Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development to be involved in Armenia’s infrastructure projects

Armenia's Vice Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan and Managing Director of the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development (EFSD) Andrey Shirokov discussed the Fund's involvement in Armenia's infrastructure projects. The parties also pointed out the importance of Armenia’s participation in large regional projects.

ArkaAm

Security Council Secretary: Armenia ready to sign peace treaty with Azerbaijan ‘any day’

Armenia is ready to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan 'any day' Armenia’s Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan said he is hoping to sign the treaty “as soon as possible” Armenia”s officials mentioned the three basic principles it expects the treaty to be based on multiple times.

ArkaAm

Victory or concessions? Secretary of Security Council comments on delimitation ofborder with Azerbaijan

Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan declined to describe launch of border demarcation with Azerbaijan as a victory or concessions amid ongoing occupation of parts of the sovereign territory of the country by Azerbaijan. Armenia ceded 2.5 villages to Azerbaijan, but there are territories that were returned to Armenia.

ArkaAm

Armenia calls for prohibiting threats of attacks on nuclear facilities

Armenia has raised the need for a treaty prohibiting attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes.

PanArmenian

Armenian lawyers protest against bill that will increase the cost of their services

Armenian lawyers have expressed dissatisfaction with a new bill on the parliament's agenda. From October 2024 they will have to pay 10% turnover tax instead of 5% now, and from 2025 they will pay 20% VAT. Head of the Armenian Chamber of Advocates Simon Babayan said that such a tax increase will lead to a significant increase in the price of lawyer services by 38%.

ArkaAm

Funeral procession moves to Qom, Iran

Caskets of Iran's President and fellow passengers are now being transferred from Tabriz to Qom. The city is considered the second most sacred city in Iran after Mashhad. State media are reporting that the bodies will be carried around the shrine. The bodies will then be taken to the capital, Tehran, where they will be laid to rest.

ArmRadio

💵 Economy

Armenia works on diversification of economy with an eye on Europe - Secretary of the Security Council

Armenia is working hard to diversify its economy with the prospect of increasing exports to Europe. Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan said the country has not yet achieved significant success in the economic sphere. Armenia's foreign trade turnover with EU countries in first quarter of 2024 reached almost $494.3 million.

ArkaAm, Armenia is working to diversify its economy with the prospect of exporting to Europe. AX:

Almost 100 taxpayers in Armenia fined 55.25 million drams for unregistered workers

In April 2024, about 98 business entities in Armenia were found to have unregistered workers. In particular, the fines imposed on 17 companies amounted to about AMD 29.8 million. These companies are engaged in the sale of flowers and seeds, furniture production, cosmetics, jewelry and perfumes.

ArkaAm

Armenia’s GDP grows by 9.2% up to 1.97 trillion AMD

Armenia's GDP increased by 9.2% in Q1 2024 compared to the same period of 2023. Manufacturing industry showed the highest growth, standing at 31.1%, repair of cars and motorcycles grew by 25.1% In nominal terms, the country's GDP in current prices amounted to 1,971,230.4 million drams at the end of the reporting period.

ArkaAm

Second tranche of loan for development of MSMEs provided to Ardshinbank by EBRD and EU

Ardshinbank signed an agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union (EU) for the allocation of the second tranche of financing to re-lending micro, small, and medium businesses. This lending is carried out under the “MSME Competitiveness in the Eastern Partnership (EaP SMEC)” program. The agreement will support MSME investments in sustainable technologies, as well as towards health and safety.

ArkaAm, The EBRD and the EU granted Ardshinbank the second tranche of the loan for the development of SMEs (PHOTO)

Ambassador sees potential for expansion of trade between Armenia and Brazil

Diplomatic relations between Armenia and Brazil were established more than 30 years ago. Ambassador Yeganian said that the trade between the two countries amounts to approximately $100 million dollars annually. Brazil is one of the largest economies in the world, and Armenia has seen impressive economic growth.

ArmRadio

Armenia an emerging destination for UK and global investors – Ambassador

Armenia’s Ambassador to UK Varuzhan Nersesyan writes in an article published by London Business Matters. He emphasizes that Armenia in recent years Armenia has made significant progress on enhancing its business environment, creating opportunities and favorable conditions for investment.

ArmRadio

🧪 Science & Technology

Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants

Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province.

PanArmenian

IAEA’s Grossi to visit Kaliningrad May 28 to discuss ZNPP

IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi will visit Kaliningrad on May 28 to discuss the situation at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant. Russia's permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said.

Armenpress

IAEA supports Armenia’s nuclear program – Rafael Grossi

International Atomic Energy Agency supports Armenia’s nuclear program, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi wrote on X. Grossi presented the results of his meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan.

Armenpress, Effective cooperation is established between Armenia and IAEA

Tree Planting Results with My Forest Armenia: The Power of One Dram

During March and April 2022, AMD 10.757.867 was directed to the afforestation program of the "My Forest Armenia" NGO, 16,000 trees were planted. Representatives of IDBank and Idram visited Jrashen again to see the newly planted forest.

Armenpress

Mirzoyan: Armenia will extend lifetime of current nuclear power unit with smooth transition tonew capacity by 2036

The Armenian NPP is one of the main sources of electricity in the country, providing up to 40% of the total generation. Its service life has been extended until 2026, and work is underway to re-extend it for another 10 years. The construction of a new plant is estimated to take 8-10 years.

ArkaAm, Armenia has decided to extend the operation period of the NPP until 2036, with the ultimate goal of a smooth transition to the new capacity. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Armenia says ready to extend nuclear plant’s lifetime by 10 years

🎭 Culture

ARARAT Special Evening Dedicated to the 100th Anniversary of Charles Aznavour

On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. The event took place at the "One & Only" theater within the Seven Visions Hotel. Guests of the event had the chance to reveal the brandy on the course of special tasting.

Armenpress, VTB Armenia general sponsor for Charles Aznavour 100th birthday tribute concert, VTB-Armenia Bank acted as the main sponsor of the concert dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Charles Aznavour., For you, Charles: Yerevan to host exhibition on Aznavour’s centennial anniversary, ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv.

“Yerevan Ballet Festival” to host theater groups from various countries

The "Yerevan Ballet Festival" will be held on June 2-5 in the park named after Hovhannes Tumanyan. Admission to the outdoor ballet festival is free.

Armenpress

Aznavouriana: Album dedicated to Aznavour’s 100th anniversary released

The album “Aznavouriana” by Deutsche Grammophon is already released and is available since May 17, 2024, just ahead of the artist’s birthday. The album is a collection of exquisite interpretations of globally beloved iconic songs.

ArmRadio

⚽ Sport

Gymnasts left for Bulgaria

Gymnastics team will participate in "World Challenge Cup" to be held in Bulgaria. Artur Davtyan, Artur Avetisyan, Erik Baghdasaryan, and Artur Tovmasyan will represent Armenia in the regular round.

Armenpress

Hayk Martirosyan wins 7th round of Sharjah tournament

Shant Sargsyan, Samvel Ter-Sahakyan, Manuel Petrosyan shared the point. Hayk Martirosyan won the 7th round of the Sharjah Masters 2024 international tournament in UAE. The leaders are participants from India and the USA with 5.5 points.

Armenpress

Donations to Armenia:

Himnadram
ServicemenFund
Armenian Wounded Heroes
ArmeniaFund

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I think Jen knows some dirt on Rachel and Margret and they are freaking out, no one acts this they are because they don’t want her being friends with someone they don’t like. Rachel crying because Teresa came for her husband is hilarious because her husband came for Teresa, what did they expect to happen when they came on the show did they really think their skeletons wouldn’t come out?
Margret is the problem I think Melissa and Teresa were in a decent place a few years ago and Marg didn’t like it, she tried crawling up Tres a$s but that didn’t work so she got close to Melissa. Melissa has been stand offish with her the last 2 seasons but I think it’s keep your friends close but your enemies closer in this scenario, if Melissa and Joe dare come for her she will drag them down. Also Melissa looks annoyed with Rachel half the time so it will be interesting to see this “friendship” play out.

I've never had it this slow. Not only no responses but not many new job postings either. I'm trying not to get despondent but it's getting harder every day especially when people on Linked In recommend a recruiter or a recruiter posts about how they need candidates for a new position and I DM them on LI and get no response. And these aren't internal recruiters. Usually 3rd party recruiters will at least respond. I sent one a connection request and she didn't even accept it. Last week I got an interview for a job that almost nobody would want because it's so controversial (won't say but imagine doing fundraising for UNRWA or Israel. Not saying an opinion of either those but only to give an example of how people might not want to put a job on their LI profile because it could generate the wrong attention) and I got ghosted for that. Out of desperation I applied to a job being on call to "clean up people with hazardous or dangerous materials on them prior to them being admitted to the hospital" which I can't imagine most people want and got ghosted.
I know the media won't be honest about how bad the market is to help Biden since it's an election year. I get that. I'm not surprised. But lately it seems so much worse and I can't tell if it's my imagination. Please tell me it gets slow before the last weekend in May because of the holiday.

How dare they take us as the fools, Today they gave us a light shove to make us feel safe…DONT, there is no safety only killshots here on out! Strap Up!!

Every time I launch xdefiant my pc restarts I’ve verified game files, reset my bios to default settings & running it as administrator nothing works. My pc specs are more than enough to run this game too. Every other game I have works fine warzone R6 Apex but Xdefiant has been like this since its last beta, first two betas I was fine. But when I do troubleshoot it & run it in 640x480 it works fine but I wouldn’t dare play it in that resolution. Any tips would be appreciated

Hey guys, it may look like I'm new to this but it's been quite a while since I've started following this subreddit. I love dark souls with all my heart, it has been a great game, always able to get me immersed into the universe. I just wanted to give you all a little cheering before leaving, it's the least I can do. I want you all to know that you are all perfect to my eyes, that you all make me proud. Please, don't make the same mistake I did, don't you dare go hollow, my friends.

Hey mates! Little late to the party but I just picked up Starfield and was looking for a little starting perk/ skill advice. I’m an avid Skyrim/ fallout player so I know there are come perks more crucial in the beginning and more luxury later. I’ve looked at some posts about this but none are after the recent update. I’m lookin to build a snipe bounty hunter style character (daring I know) so any advice would be appreciate! Cheers and happy flying!

Don't y'all dare say "nothing"
also "no thing" isn't allowed, fuck you

the Kingdom of Az'mir, lies the city of Eldarus a bustling port, ruled by the Regent Princess Luella Tulloran and her advisor General Dravenforth. Eldarus is a vibrant melting pot of fantasy races, each with their own stories to tell and adventures to embark upon.
Within the city's walls, players can immerse themselves in a diverse array of roleplay opportunities. From joining political intrigues at the royal court to exploring the seedy underbelly of the city's criminal underworld, there's no shortage of adventures to be had.
Players can create (within the confines of the rules)characters of various races, each with their own unique abilities,backgrounds, and goals. Whether they're a daring rogue seeking treasure in the city's ancient catacombs, a noble knight sworn to protect the realm, or a wise wizard unraveling the mysteries of arcane magic, there's a role for everyone in Eldarus.
As they interact with other players and navigate the ever-changing landscape of the city, characters will forge alliances, uncover secrets, and shape the course of Eldarus' history. With endless possibilities for storytelling and adventure, the roleplay experience in Eldarus is limited only by one's imagination.
**The server is 18+, welcoming players of all skill levels, although most are seasoned writers and roleplayers. We're not a Fandom server, and are focusing solely on original characters. We're actively seeking new members to help us expand and introduce even more diverse characters and stories to our community. Join us, adventures awaits.**
https://discord.com/invite/dCYSGA9tjk (note: we do have dice options for certain events interactions, please see the rules, or feel free to dm for clarity.)

the Kingdom of Az'mir, lies the city of Eldarus a bustling port, ruled by the Regent Princess Luella Tulloran and her advisor General Dravenforth. Eldarus is a vibrant melting pot of fantasy races, each with their own stories to tell and adventures to embark upon.
Within the city's walls, players can immerse themselves in a diverse array of roleplay opportunities. From joining political intrigues at the royal court to exploring the seedy underbelly of the city's criminal underworld, there's no shortage of adventures to be had.
Players can create (within the confines of the rules)characters of various races, each with their own unique abilities,backgrounds, and goals. Whether they're a daring rogue seeking treasure in the city's ancient catacombs, a noble knight sworn to protect the realm, or a wise wizard unraveling the mysteries of arcane magic, there's a role for everyone in Eldarus.
As they interact with other players and navigate the ever-changing landscape of the city, characters will forge alliances, uncover secrets, and shape the course of Eldarus' history. With endless possibilities for storytelling and adventure, the roleplay experience in Eldarus is limited only by one's imagination.
**The server is 18+, welcoming players of all skill levels, although most are seasoned writers and roleplayers. We're not a Fandom server, and are focusing solely on original characters. We're actively seeking new members to help us expand and introduce even more diverse characters and stories to our community. Join us, adventures awaits.**
https://discord.com/invite/dCYSGA9tjk (note: we do have dice options for certain events interactions, please see the rules, or feel free to dm for clarity.)

Hello, through the use of ChatGPT for my idea, and hours of planning and perfecting my story I have created my q5, I'm not sure if I'm missing anything to be honest, i'm aiming for a grade 5 so can someone tell me if this is up to par, i aim to try and memorise most of it.
I was driving fast, splintering the speed limit, wind gushing against my rosy cheeks. I was going to be late. Anxiety gnawed at my insides, filling me with a punch of concern. What would my fiancée think if I was late to my wedding. Being controlled by dread, I pushed my foot down, the speedometer crept higher and higher, wind became more powerful.

Suddenly, the wail of a siren shattered my thoughts, I was done for. As the officer interrogated me, I started to panic, desperation snuck into my voice. Was this really happening? The officer showing no pity about my stupid sob story, he took me in. I was processed with the efficiency of a machine, fingerprints stored, iris scanned, and bloods taken. How have I let this happen to me? I was faced with a dreadful night in the pits.

Damp.

My nostrils were infiltrated with the hideous smell of urine and mould, as I stared at my slab of beaten wood for my bed. I shivered as the crisp coldness of the concrete floor snuck up my body, startling me. I pinched myself to see if this was real, or just a mere nightmare, to no avail. I slumped on my bed with a grunt of defeat, feeling completely vanquished by everything I have faced in the past few hours. The sliver of light penetrated the rusty iron bars, blinding me, but failing to light the oppressive doom of my miserable cell.

I kick my door in resentment, to my surprise, the withered joints crumbled away, slapping me in the face with a cold breeze, making my teeth chatter away. For a moment, I stood frozen, hardly daring to believe my luck before coming to realisation and swiftly moving down the corridors. I was contaminated by a blur of fear and determination as I neared the exit. Adrenaline flooded in as I lost control to my body, I was a mere puppet to this feeling.

Nearly out. The alarms wailed like a newborn, ricocheting around the room, molten red alarms covered the walls like a volcano had erupted. I was tantalizing close as the sirens announced, ‘Prisoner has escaped!’ I heard the guard fumble through his jumble of keys, his chubby fingers struggling to find the key out of his watchtower. Panic surged through me, giving me a second wind as I dashed into the dark moonlight. I could not miss my wedding.