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— Enterprise scalability has become one of the most pressing challenges facing modern organizations as they navigate digital transformation while managing explosive growth, evolving market demands, and increasingly complex operational requirements. Mobile applications have emerged as critical tools for addressing these scalability challenges, enabling enterprises to streamline operations, enhance employee productivity, and deliver superior customer experiences without proportional increases in overhead costs. The traditional approach to enterprise scaling—adding more staff, expanding physical infrastructure, and replicating existing processes—has proven inadequate for today’s dynamic business environment. Forward-thinking organizations are leveraging mobile app development services to create scalable solutions that automate workflows, optimize resource allocation, and provide real-time visibility into operations across global enterprises. The key lies in understanding how strategic mobile development can transform scalability from a cost burden into a competitive advantage. Understanding Enterprise Scalability Challenges Modern enterprises face scalability obstacles that didn’t exist even a decade ago. The convergence of remote work, global operations, regulatory complexity, and customer experience expectations has created scalability challenges that require sophisticated technological solutions rather than simple resource multiplication. Operational Complexity Growth increases exponentially rather than linearly as enterprises expand. Adding new locations, products, or market segments creates interconnected complexities that traditional management approaches cannot handle effectively. Mobile applications provide centralized control systems that manage distributed operations while maintaining consistency and visibility across all business units. Resource Allocation Inefficiencies emerge when enterprises rely on manual processes and legacy systems that cannot adapt quickly to changing demands. Mobile apps enable dynamic resource allocation by providing real-time data about capacity utilization, demand patterns, and performance metrics that guide intelligent decision-making at scale. Communication and Coordination Barriers multiply as organizations grow, creating information silos and coordination delays that impede scalability. Mobile platforms break down these barriers by providing unified communication channels, collaborative workflows, and shared data access that enables seamless coordination across large, distributed teams. Customer Service Scalability Limits become apparent when traditional support models cannot handle growing customer bases without proportional cost increases. Mobile applications enable self-service capabilities, automated support processes, and efficient case management that scale customer service without linear staff increases. Strategic Mobile Solutions for Enterprise Scaling Effective enterprise mobile applications address scalability challenges through strategic approaches that leverage automation, data intelligence, and workflow optimization to enable growth without proportional resource increases. Process Automation and Workflow Optimization represent the most direct approach to scalability, enabling enterprises to handle increased volume without adding staff. Mobile applications automate routine tasks, standardize processes across locations, and provide workflow management capabilities that ensure consistent execution regardless of scale. These automated processes reduce human error while enabling teams to focus on high-value activities that drive growth. Real-Time Data Integration and Analytics provide the visibility necessary for effective scaling by connecting mobile applications with enterprise systems to deliver actionable insights. Mobile dashboards aggregate data from multiple sources, provide predictive analytics, and enable data-driven decision making that optimizes resource allocation and identifies scaling opportunities before they become critical bottlenecks. Self-Service and Employee Empowerment solutions reduce administrative overhead by enabling employees to access information, complete tasks, and resolve issues independently through mobile interfaces. These self-service capabilities scale automatically with workforce growth while reducing the burden on support teams and management hierarchies. Customer Experience Scaling through mobile applications enables enterprises to serve growing customer bases with personalized experiences that don’t require proportional increases in support staff. Mobile apps provide automated onboarding, self-service support, and personalized interactions that maintain service quality while accommodating exponential customer growth. Architecture Considerations for Scalable Mobile Applications Building mobile applications that truly address enterprise scalability requires architectural approaches that anticipate growth while maintaining performance, security, and maintainability as usage scales exponentially. Cloud-Native Architecture provides the foundation for scalable mobile applications by leveraging cloud computing resources that can expand dynamically based on demand. Cloud-native mobile apps benefit from automatic scaling, global distribution, and managed services that eliminate infrastructure bottlenecks while providing enterprise-grade reliability and performance. Microservices Integration enables mobile applications to connect with enterprise systems through modular, scalable service architectures. This approach allows different application components to scale independently based on usage patterns while maintaining overall system stability and enabling rapid feature development. API-First Development creates flexible mobile applications that can integrate with existing enterprise systems while adapting to future technology changes. API-driven architectures enable mobile apps to serve as unified interfaces for complex backend systems while providing the flexibility to modify or replace underlying services without affecting user experiences. Offline Capability and Data Synchronization ensure that mobile applications remain functional even when network connectivity is limited, which becomes increasingly important as enterprises scale across diverse geographic regions with varying infrastructure quality. Robust offline capabilities prevent scaling bottlenecks caused by connectivity dependencies. Industry-Specific Scalability Solutions Different industries face unique scalability challenges that require tailored mobile development approaches. Understanding these industry-specific requirements enables more effective mobile solutions that address actual scaling obstacles rather than generic productivity improvements. Manufacturing and Supply Chain scalability challenges include inventory management, quality control, and coordination across multiple facilities and suppliers. Mobile applications address these challenges through real-time inventory tracking, mobile quality inspections, digital work instructions, and supplier coordination platforms that scale operations without proportional administrative increases. Healthcare and Life Sciences organizations face scalability challenges related to patient care, regulatory compliance, and clinical research coordination. Mobile solutions include patient engagement platforms, clinical data collection systems, compliance monitoring tools, and telemedicine applications that scale healthcare delivery while maintaining quality and regulatory adherence. Financial Services scalability requires mobile applications that handle growing transaction volumes, regulatory reporting, and customer service demands. Mobile banking platforms, automated compliance monitoring, customer onboarding systems, and advisory tools enable financial institutions to scale services while managing risk and regulatory requirements effectively. Retail and E-commerce scaling challenges include inventory management, customer service, and omnichannel coordination. Mobile solutions provide staff productivity tools, customer engagement platforms, inventory optimization systems, and unified commerce capabilities that support growth without operational complexity increases. Performance Optimization for Enterprise Scale Enterprise mobile applications must maintain exceptional performance as user bases grow from hundreds to thousands or millions of users. Performance optimization requires proactive approaches that anticipate scaling challenges rather than reacting to performance degradation. Load Balancing and Traffic Management distribute user requests across multiple servers and geographic regions to prevent performance bottlenecks as usage scales. Advanced load balancing includes intelligent routing based on user location, device capabilities, and current system load to optimize response times globally. Caching and Data Management strategies reduce server load while improving response times through intelligent data storage and retrieval. Multi-layer caching approaches include device-level caching, content delivery networks, and database optimization that maintain performance as data volumes and user bases expand exponentially. Database Scaling and Optimization ensures that mobile applications can access and update enterprise data efficiently regardless of database size or query complexity. Modern database scaling includes horizontal partitioning, read replicas, and query optimization that maintain response times as data volumes grow. Monitoring and Performance Analytics provide early warning of scaling issues while identifying optimization opportunities. Comprehensive monitoring tracks user experience metrics, system performance indicators, and business impact measures that guide scaling decisions and performance improvements. Security and Compliance at Scale Enterprise mobile applications must maintain security and compliance standards even as they scale to serve larger user bases and handle more sensitive data. Scalable security requires architectural approaches that strengthen rather than weaken as applications grow. Identity and Access Management becomes more complex as enterprises scale, requiring mobile applications to integrate with sophisticated authentication and authorization systems. Scalable identity management includes single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, and role-based access controls that maintain security while enabling productivity at scale. Data Protection and Privacy requirements intensify as mobile applications handle increasing volumes of sensitive enterprise and customer data. Scalable data protection includes encryption, data loss prevention, and privacy controls that adapt to growing data volumes and expanding regulatory requirements. Audit and Compliance Monitoring capabilities must scale alongside application usage to ensure ongoing regulatory adherence. Automated compliance monitoring, audit trail generation, and reporting capabilities provide oversight without manual overhead that would limit scalability. Threat Detection and Response systems protect enterprise mobile applications from increasingly sophisticated security threats. Scalable security monitoring includes behavioral analytics, automated threat response, and security orchestration that provides protection without limiting application performance or user experience. Integration with Enterprise Systems Scalable mobile applications must integrate seamlessly with existing enterprise systems while accommodating future technology changes and business expansion. Effective integration strategies enable mobile apps to serve as unified interfaces for complex enterprise ecosystems. Enterprise Resource Planning Integration connects mobile applications with core business systems to provide real-time access to financial, operational, and customer data. ERP integration enables mobile apps to support business processes at scale while maintaining data consistency and accuracy across all systems. Customer Relationship Management integration provides mobile access to customer data, sales processes, and service histories that enable personalized interactions at scale. CRM integration supports sales team productivity, customer service efficiency, and marketing campaign effectiveness as customer bases expand. Business Intelligence and Analytics integration provides mobile access to enterprise analytics and reporting capabilities. Mobile BI enables data-driven decision making at all organizational levels while providing the insights necessary for effective scaling and resource optimization. Legacy System Modernization through mobile interfaces enables enterprises to leverage existing technology investments while providing modern user experiences. Mobile applications can serve as contemporary interfaces for legacy systems, extending their useful life while improving user productivity. Development Partnership Strategies Enterprise mobile development for scalability requires expertise that most organizations don’t maintain internally. Strategic development partnerships provide access to specialized knowledge while enabling focus on core business objectives. Enterprise Mobile Development Expertise provides deep understanding of scalability challenges, architectural best practices, and integration requirements specific to enterprise environments. Experienced development teams understand the unique requirements of enterprise scaling and can implement solutions that address actual business needs rather than theoretical capabilities. Technology Partnership and Integration capabilities ensure that mobile applications can leverage best-of-breed enterprise technologies while maintaining cohesive user experiences. Development partners with established technology relationships can implement more effective integrations while reducing implementation risks and timelines. Ongoing Support and Evolution services ensure that mobile applications continue supporting enterprise scaling as business requirements change and technology platforms evolve. Professional development partners provide maintenance, updates, and enhancement services that extend application lifecycles while maintaining scalability benefits. Working with a custom mobile app development company that specializes in enterprise solutions provides access to proven methodologies, scalable architectures, and integration expertise that accelerates development while ensuring long-term scalability success. Measuring Scalability Success Effective enterprise mobile development requires ongoing measurement of scalability benefits to ensure that applications continue delivering value as organizations grow. Success measurement guides optimization decisions while demonstrating return on development investments. Operational Efficiency Metrics track how mobile applications impact productivity, process efficiency, and resource utilization as organizations scale. Key metrics include task completion times, error rates, resource utilization improvements, and automation effectiveness that demonstrate operational scalability benefits. User Adoption and Satisfaction indicators reveal whether mobile applications successfully address enterprise scaling challenges from user perspectives. Adoption metrics include usage patterns, feature utilization, user feedback, and productivity improvements that indicate application effectiveness. Business Impact Measurement connects mobile application performance to business outcomes like revenue growth, cost reduction, customer satisfaction, and competitive positioning. These connections demonstrate the strategic value of mobile development investments while guiding future enhancement priorities. Scalability Performance Indicators track how well mobile applications maintain performance and functionality as user bases and data volumes increase. Performance indicators include response times, system availability, error rates, and capacity utilization that ensure applications continue supporting growth effectively. Companies like Devsinc excel at building enterprise mobile solutions that address real scalability challenges while providing measurable business value, combining technical expertise with strategic understanding of enterprise growth requirements to create applications that enable rather than constrain organizational scaling. Enterprise scalability through mobile app development represents a strategic approach to growth that leverages technology to overcome traditional scaling limitations. Success requires understanding specific scalability challenges, implementing appropriate architectural solutions, and partnering with experienced development teams who can deliver applications that truly enable enterprise growth. Organizations that approach mobile development strategically create competitive advantages that compound over time, while those that treat mobile apps as simple productivity tools often miss the transformative potential that effective mobile solutions provide for enterprise scaling challenges. — This content is brought to you by Ava Sinclair iStockPhoto The post Mobile App Development Services for Solving Enterprise Scalability Challenges appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

Long-distance relationships (LDRs) are often described as tests of love, patience, and character. For Ajit in India and Marissa in Australia, these tests stretched over five years, spanning continents, cultures, faiths, and laws. Their story stands in contrast to that of Lara and Bhanu, who also lived in India and Australia respectively, but found the distance and differences too much to overcome. Through the lens of these two couples, both known to me personally (I am the aunt), and whose journey I followed, we can unravel what helps love to thrive across borders and what, sadly, can make it unravel (with permission). The Story of Ajit and Marissa: Five Years Apart, Together in Spirit Ajit and Marissa’s relationship began like many others, but circumstances; visa delays, religious backgrounds, and vastly different cultures, meant they would live oceans apart. For half a decade, they maintained not just affection, but also a sense of partnership, proving that distance can be measured in miles but also bridged by intent. Their experience can be distilled into several principles: Trust — The Absolute Must: The foundation of their relationship rested on trust. Doubt rarely entered their conversations, and neither tried to control the other’s friendships or activities. Insecure possessiveness has destroyed many relationships, but Ajit and Marissa learned early that confidence in each other was crucial. Embracing Friendship Across Genders: Both maintained friendships with people of all genders. They did not shy away from or fear friendships with the opposite sex, believing that comfort around all people reduced curiosity and temptation. This openness was key to their comfort and security. Constant but Meaningful Communication: Mobile phones and messaging apps kept them connected, but they were selective about how and when they shared. Not every moment needed to be broadcasted, and some stories were saved for dedicated time together, making those conversations special and focused. Spontaneity and Playfulness: Despite the distance, they kept things light; singing songs, video chatting, sending goofy pictures, writing poems, and exchanging homemade cards. These small acts of affection kept excitement alive and made the relationship feel less routine. Integration with Each Other’s Friends: Feeling included in each other’s lives was paramount. By befriending each other’s social circles, Ajit and Marissa reduced feelings of isolation and even collaborated on surprise gestures. Creating Shared Traditions: The couple kept a ‘long-distance book’: a physical keepsake filled with photos, poems, and letters. This tangible reminder of their bond offered comfort during difficult times and became a journal of cherished memories. Resolving Fights Quickly: LDRs can make conflict resolution challenging, but Ajit and Marissa made it a point never to let disagreements fester. Most disputes were settled before the next day dawned, preventing resentment from building up in the void left by physical distance. Hope and Future Planning: They didn’t shy away from talking about the future, whether that meant planning a holiday together or discussing bigger life decisions. These conversations provided hope and a sense of momentum, vital for enduring separation. Ajit and Marissa’s success came not from luck but from daily investment in trust, communication, and inclusion, as well as a refusal to let differences, be they national, religious, or cultural, become obstacles. Lara and Bhanu: When Distance and Doubt Win Lara and Bhanu’s relationship followed a similar path at first. Lara was living in Australia, Bhanu in India. Like Ajit and Marissa, they faced the same barriers of culture, religion, and endless paperwork. But their story diverged, and their relationship ultimately ended. Why? Trust Issues: Unlike Ajit and Marissa, Lara and Bhanu struggled with doubt. Jealousy crept in, particularly regarding new friends and social lives abroad. Restrictions were placed; both subtle and overt on who each could socialize with, which quickly led to frustration, secrecy, and eroding trust. Narrow Social Circles: Both were hesitant for each other to form close friendships with the opposite gender, fearing this would lead to emotional or romantic entanglements. Instead of feeling secure, this created a sense of limitation, making outside friendships seem more alluring and fraught with suspicion. Over-communication and Under-communication: Lara felt pressured to report every detail of her day, while Bhanu sometimes withdrew entirely. This imbalance meant that neither felt truly heard or understood, and both felt at times either suffocated or abandoned. Lack of Spontaneity: Their conversations became routine, focused on logistics and worries rather than joy and playfulness. The relationship, instead of being a respite from daily struggles, became another source of stress. No Shared Community: They didn’t make efforts to befriend each other’s friends, leaving each feeling disconnected from the other’s daily life. It was easy for misunderstandings to grow in these gaps. No Tangible Reminders: Without shared rituals: no “long-distance book,” no exchanged letters or poems, their memories became more digital and momentary. When times were hard, they had little to look back on together. Lingering Fights: Arguments dragged on, sometimes for days, with no easy way to reconcile. The pain of unresolved conflict was magnified by the inability to offer a quick hug or apology in person. Uncertain Future: Unlike Ajit and Marissa, Lara and Bhanu avoided talking seriously about the future. The uncertainty became overwhelming, and the absence of shared plans made hope difficult to sustain. While Ajit and Marissa managed to overcome the classic pitfalls of LDRs, Lara and Bhanu showed how the same challenges, when left unaddressed, can drive a wedge between partners. Ajit and Marissa’s relationship survived, not in spite of the distance, but because they chose every day to trust, to communicate honestly, and to remain present in each other’s lives. Lara and Bhanu remind us that the absence of these qualities can turn distance from a challenge into a chasm. … I was fortunate enough to witness the fruits of this devotion firsthand: I attended Ajit and Marissa’s wedding ceremonies, both Hindu and Christian, where their commitment was celebrated with joy, colour, and the embrace of two families and traditions. Today, they share a life that is as vibrant and harmonious as the vows they exchanged. As for Lara, I remember hugging her tightly during one of those difficult evenings, assuring her that the lessons of this chapter would serve her well, whether in a future long-distance relationship or in one woven from the fabric of everyday, face-to-face moments. I told her, with genuine faith, that her true-life partner was still out there, and that the resilience she’d gained would help her recognise and nurture the love she deserved. If you, or someone close to you, are navigating the complexities of a long-distance relationship, may these stories offer both inspiration and gentle caution: love can span oceans and continents, but only when it is continually nurtured with trust, honesty, inclusion, and the daily, shared decision to hope together. What do you think? Have you had a long-distance relationship? … Thanks for reading dear friends and lovers ღ. © Stephanie Roberts — This post was previously published on medium.com. Love relationships? We promise to have a good one with your inbox. Subcribe to get 3x weekly dating and relationship advice. Did you know? We have 8 publications on Medium. Join us there! Hello, Love (relationships) Change Becomes You (Advice) A Parent is Born (Parenting) Equality Includes You (Social Justice) Greener Together (Environment) Shelter Me (Wellness) Modern Identities (Gender, etc.) Co-Existence (World) *** – Photo credit: Look Studio On Unsplash The post Are Long-Distance Relationships Destined to Fail, Doomed From the Start? appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

— In September 2025, the Berlin International Electronics Show (IFA), a premier global stage for consumer electronics, hosted a highly anticipated product launch. Midea Group chose this world-renowned exhibition to unveil its revolutionary Intrinity Fan series, highlighting the brand’s strong confidence in its innovation capabilities and its determination to penetrate the global high-end market. IFA has long been regarded as the launchpad for flagship innovations, where the products introduced often shape industry conversations for the year ahead. For Midea, debuting the Intrinity Fan Series at such a high-profile venue reflected a clear global strategy: moving beyond its established dominance in home appliances and positioning itself as a leader in the evolution of smart home air management. This launch marked a decisive milestone for the brand, laying the foundation for a new chapter in the global fan industry. The Intrinity Fan embodies a convergence of Midea’s most advanced engineering achievements. Its hallmark is the proprietary Möbius strip blade design, a world-first technology that transforms airflow into an infinite, stable stream. Coupled with an intelligent environmental adaptation system, the series achieves significant gains in both energy efficiency and acoustic performance. Beyond its silent and powerful airflow, the design incorporates eco-friendly materials and recyclable elements, underscoring Midea’s commitment to sustainability and the broader movement toward greener, smarter living. Observers at IFA were quick to point out the strategic value of this product. In an era where consumers increasingly demand home appliances that are both energy-conscious and technologically sophisticated, Midea’s launch met the moment with precision. The brand’s presentation demonstrated not only its prowess in innovation but also its ability to align engineering breakthroughs with real-world consumer needs. By debuting at IFA, Midea effectively elevated the Intrinity Fan Series from a product release to a global statement of intent. The appearance in Berlin serves as the beginning of a broader international rollout. While official market release plans and promotional campaigns are expected to follow through Midea’s global channels, the IFA launch provided the initial spark to capture international awareness and anticipation. For Midea, this was not merely a product introduction but a carefully calculated step in strengthening its influence in the global consumer electronics sector. When Midea launched the Intrinity Fan Series, it made a significant impact on attendees and industry experts alike. The fan’s airflow technology combined quiet operation, powerful performance, and efficiency, making it more than just a seasonal product. We’re excited to see more sustainable approaches to everyday appliances, which reintroduces fans, often overlooked in the smart home conversation, back into the spotlight. — This content is brought to you by Chris Reyes Photos provided by the author. The post Live IFA Report: Midea Intrinity Fan Earns ‘Best Smart Home Appliance’ Nomination on Debut Day appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

By Kristine Sabillo Three conservation trusts have together purchased an area of a severely threatened vegetation type found in the Overberg region of South Africa’s Western Cape province. Known as the renosterveld, this unique habitat characterized by shrubs and grasses is also a breeding ground for endangered black harriers, the three groups announced in a joint press release. The Overberg Renosterveld Trust (ORT) partnered with the U.K.-based World Land Trust (WLT) and the Mapula Trust to buy the 270-hectare (667-acre) property called Goereesoe. The site is part of the Eastern Rûens Shale Renosterveld, an ecosystem considered to be critically endangered. The renosterveld used to cover a large part of the Overberg region, but now only 5% remains, due to land conversion for agriculture, ORT said. “This is a significant win for renosterveld and the Black Harrier,” Odette Curtis-Scott, CEO of the Overberg Renosterveld Trust, said in the release. “By securing this land, we are protecting critical habitat and species whose futures are teetering on a knife edge.” The black harrier (Circus maurus), found mostly in South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini, has fewer than 500 breeding pairs left in the wild. Goereesoe, along with the neighboring Haarwegskloof Renosterveld Reserve and another property called Plaatjieskraal — all managed by the ORT and known collectively as the Haarwegskloof Cluster — together support around 30 pairs of breeding black harriers, or 6% of the global population, ORT said. ORT added that securing Goereesoe will help researchers track movements of black harriers, which have been impacted by wind turbines, as previously reported by Mongabay. Curtis-Scott said the Haarwegskloof Cluster, the largest connected stretch of renosterveld left on Earth, has now grown to more than 1,300 hectares (3,200 acres), after adding Plaatjieskraal and Goereesoe. ORT said it hopes both properties will receive nature reserve status soon, and is working with neighboring farms to grow a conservation corridor. “It means that wildlife, especially our precious pollinators and invertebrates, can move freely and safely across this natural remnant patches in this highly transformed landscape,” Curtis-Scott said. The renosterveld ecosystem features unique vegetation, including shrubs like the renosterbos (Elytropappus rhinocerotis) and very rare flowering bulbs like Hesperantha kiaratayloriae and Lachenalia barberae, that grow over fertile, clay- and shale-based soils and outcrops of white quartz. Renosterveld, Afrikaans for “rhinoceros field,” was possibly named for the gray renosterbos bushes resembling rhino hide, or refers to black rhinos that historically roamed the area before being killed off by European settlers. “Protecting this site means safeguarding one of the most threatened ecosystems on Earth, and the species that depend on it,” said Catherine Barnard, CEO of World Land Trust. The acquisition of Goereesoe was made possible through WLT’s Buy An Acre program, which allows people to directly help purchase and protect threatened habitats. — Previously Published on news.mongabay with Creative Commons Attribution *** Subscribe to The Good Men Project Newsletter Email Address * Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. A complete list of benefits is here. On Substack? Connect with us there. — Photo credit: unsplash The post To Save a Rare South African Ecosystem, Conservationists Bought the Land appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

— The immigration landscape is evolving, and a quiet revolution is taking place in English proficiency testing. While most candidates continue to struggle with traditional assessments, a new pathway has emerged that’s changing the game entirely. Australia’s recent acceptance of the CELPIP test, combined with Canada’s established reliance on this assessment, has created an unprecedented opportunity for skilled professionals seeking permanent residency or citizenship. Yet here’s the uncomfortable truth: most test preparation approaches are fundamentally flawed, leaving qualified candidates trapped in cycles of repeated failures and mounting costs. Guaranteed Improvement via HZad Education CELPIP: https://hzadeducation.com/product/classes-celpip/ The Hidden Crisis in English Proficiency Testing Traditional English proficiency tests have dominated the immigration process for decades, creating artificial barriers that often reflect test-taking ability rather than genuine communication competence. These assessments frequently emphasize academic scenarios that bear little resemblance to the practical English skills needed for workplace success or daily life in Australia or Canada. The statistics tell a sobering story. Research indicates that capable English speakers often require multiple attempts to achieve required scores, not because they lack proficiency, but because they haven’t mastered the specific frameworks and strategies these tests demand. The financial and emotional toll is staggering, candidates typically spend over $1,200 in registration fees alone across multiple attempts, not including preparation costs and lost time. This systemic problem has created a market flooded with generic preparation courses that treat all English tests as interchangeable. The result? Thousands of qualified professionals remain stuck in preparation limbo, their immigration dreams delayed by inadequate training methods. Enter CELPIP: A More Practical Assessment Philosophy The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program represents a fundamental shift in how English competency is evaluated. Unlike traditional academic-focused assessments, CELPIP prioritizes real-world communication scenarios that mirror actual workplace and social interactions in English-speaking countries. This practical orientation makes CELPIP particularly relevant for immigration candidates. The test evaluates how effectively you can participate in workplace meetings, handle customer service situations, engage in community discussions, and navigate professional correspondence, precisely the skills that predict success in Canadian and Australian environments. For Australia, the acceptance of CELPIP creates a strategic advantage for early adopters. While most candidates continue competing within the saturated traditional testing landscape, those who embrace CELPIP can access less crowded testing schedules and demonstrate their English proficiency through an assessment that better reflects real-world demands. The Methodology Gap: Why Generic Preparation Fails The emergence of CELPIP in new markets has exposed a critical gap in preparation methodology. Many training providers are hastily rebranding their general English courses as “CELPIP training,” fundamentally misunderstanding what effective preparation requires. Generic English improvement focuses on grammar rules, vocabulary expansion, and general communication skills. While these elements matter, they represent only the foundation. CELPIP success demands mastery of specific response frameworks, strategic time management, and understanding of unique scoring criteria that differ significantly from other assessments. Consider the speaking component: traditional preparation might focus on pronunciation and fluency, but CELPIP requires structured responses that demonstrate specific organizational patterns, appropriate register shifts, and strategic use of complex sentence structures within strict time constraints. These are learnable skills, but they require specialized training that addresses CELPIP’s unique demands. The HZad Education Advantage: Proven Excellence in CELPIP Training https://hzadeducation.com/product/classes-celpip/ While CELPIP may be new to Australia, it has a well-established track record in Canada, where HZad Education has emerged as the undisputed leader in CELPIP test preparation. With over 47,000 YouTube subscribers and the most comprehensive collection of verified student success stories in the industry, HZad Education has systematically solved the preparation challenges that trap most candidates. Sean Zaidi, the founder of HZad Education, didn’t just create another test prep course—he engineered a systematic approach that addresses the specific cognitive and strategic demands of CELPIP. His methodology emerged from analyzing thousands of student attempts, identifying the precise factors that separate high scorers from repeat test-takers. Revolutionary Hybrid Learning Model HZad Education’s CELPIP online course represents the first successful integration of artificial intelligence with expert human evaluation. This hybrid approach delivers the speed and consistency of AI-powered mock tests while maintaining the nuanced feedback that only experienced educators can provide. The AI component simulates the actual CELPIP exam interface, delivering instant scoring across all four modules. Students receive immediate performance data, allowing them to identify weaknesses and track improvement in real-time. This technological foundation ensures that practice sessions closely mirror the actual testing experience. However, technology alone cannot replicate the sophisticated evaluation that CELPIP demands. HZad Education’s human feedback component provides the critical edge that distinguishes their program. Expert instructors deliver examiner-style evaluations that focus on the subtle elements that separate competent responses from exceptional ones, tone appropriateness, task response accuracy, and structural sophistication. Systematic Strategy Development Unlike generic preparation courses that focus on content review, HZad Education prioritizes strategic mastery. Their approach recognizes that CELPIP success requires specific frameworks for each task type, not just improved English skills. For CELPIP speaking and writing feedback, students learn proven templates that can be adapted across multiple question types. These aren’t rigid formulas, but flexible structures that ensure complete task response while allowing for individual expression. The program includes over 800 CELPIP-specific vocabulary items and phrases, strategically selected for their effectiveness in achieving CLB 9+ results. The reading and listening components receive equally systematic treatment. Students master keyword identification techniques, learn to anticipate question types, and develop strategic approaches to time management that maximize accuracy within strict time constraints. Comprehensive Support Ecosystem HZad Education’s CELPIP classes extend beyond traditional instruction to create a complete support ecosystem. Students gain access to five complete mock tests that challenge them with question types more difficult than the actual exam, ensuring they enter the testing center over-prepared rather than surprised by exam difficulty. The program includes lifetime access to ongoing resources, ensuring that students can review materials and access new strategies as they become available. This long-term support recognizes that immigration preparation extends beyond a single test attempt. Strategic Implications for Australian Immigration Candidates Australia’s acceptance of CELPIP creates immediate strategic opportunities for informed candidates. Early adoption provides access to less saturated testing schedules and positions candidates ahead of the inevitable surge in CELPIP popularity as awareness grows. More importantly, CELPIP’s practical focus aligns closely with Australian immigration priorities. The test’s emphasis on workplace communication and real-world scenarios demonstrates exactly the skills that Australian employers and communities value. Candidates who excel at CELPIP prove their readiness for immediate contribution to Australian society. The window for early-adopter advantages is finite. As CELPIP gains recognition in Australia, testing slots will become more competitive, and the relative advantage of choosing this pathway will diminish. Candidates who act now can capitalize on both the strategic benefits and the superior preparation resources available through established providers like HZad Education. The Technology Integration Advantage HZad Education’s integration of AI technology with expert instruction creates preparation experiences that traditional methods cannot match. Their AI-powered CELPIP practice tests provide unlimited simulation opportunities, allowing students to build familiarity with the testing interface while developing the cognitive stamina required for optimal performance. The AI system tracks performance patterns across multiple practice sessions, identifying subtle weaknesses that might escape notice in traditional review. This data-driven approach ensures that preparation time focuses on areas with the highest potential for score improvement. Simultaneously, the human feedback component addresses the sophisticated elements that AI cannot evaluate, cultural appropriateness, nuanced meaning, and strategic response choices that distinguish exceptional performance from merely adequate responses. Beyond Test Preparation: Building Immigration Success HZad Education’s approach recognizes that effective CELPIP test help for PR and immigration extends beyond achieving required scores. Their comprehensive methodology develops communication skills that serve students throughout their immigration journey and subsequent career development. Students emerge from the program with enhanced professional communication abilities, greater confidence in formal and informal interactions, and systematic approaches to learning that benefit ongoing skill development. These advantages compound over time, contributing to both immediate immigration success and long-term professional achievement. The program’s focus on practical communication scenarios ensures that students develop skills directly applicable to Canadian and Australian workplace environments. This preparation reduces the adjustment period typically required for new immigrants, facilitating faster integration and career advancement. Making the Strategic Choice The decision to pursue CELPIP training represents more than selecting a test preparation method, it’s choosing to leverage a fundamental shift in how English proficiency is assessed and valued. For candidates serious about achieving their immigration goals efficiently, the choice is clear. HZad Education’s proven methodology, comprehensive resources, and track record of student success provide the foundation for confident CELPIP preparation. Their 100% money-back guarantee reflects genuine confidence in their system’s effectiveness, while their systematic approach ensures that preparation time translates directly into score improvement. The convergence of Australia’s CELPIP acceptance, Canada’s continued reliance on this assessment, and HZad Education’s specialized expertise creates an unprecedented opportunity for strategic candidates. Those who recognize and act on this opportunity position themselves for immigration success while others continue struggling with outdated preparation approaches. — This content is brought to you by Sabrina Suleiman iStockPhoto The post Meet HZad Education: Revolutionizing CELPIP Test Preparation for Australia and Canada appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

By U. Rochester-URMC Making a smoothie, going for an evening walk, or having empathy for a loved one are all examples of executive functions that are controlled by the brain’s frontal cortex. This area of the brain goes through profound change throughout adolescence, and it is during this time that abnormalities in maturing circuits can set the stage for neurodevelopmental disorders, such as schizophrenia and ADHD. Now, researchers have discovered that microglia, the brain’s immune cells, play a key role in how the brain adapts to the changes in this area during adolescence, which may transform how neurodevelopmental disorders are treated during this window and, possibly, into adulthood. “A better understanding of the ways we can drive changes in these circuits offers new targets for disease treatment,” says Rianne Stowell, research assistant professor of neuroscience at the University of Rochester Medical Center, and first author of the study in Nature Communications. “This area is also susceptible to change, both good and bad, during adolescence. Previous work in our lab has found that both direct activation of frontal dopamine circuits and rewarding behavior drive plasticity of dopaminergic connections to the frontal cortex during adolescence, but not adulthood.” The dopaminergic circuits in the brain are made up of networks of neurons that use dopamine to send information. These circuits are critical for regulating brain functions, including movement, motivation, and cognition. Exercise, or wheel running for mice, is a natural, rewarding experience that activates the frontal dopamine circuit. Using this model and optogenetics, a technique that uses light to control genetically targeted neurons, researchers observed that microglia in the living brain are recruited to the frontal dopaminergic circuit in adolescent mice. The microglia responded to dopaminergic activation by making contact with the axons, the long part of the neuron that acts like a cable relaying signals, and then new boutons formed along those axons. Boutons are the parts of the neuron that transmit signals to other cells. According to Stowell, this shows that microglia have a direct impact on increased dopaminergic circuit connectivity. Basically, the brain’s immune cells appear to play a key role in strengthening the brain’s communication network. “We were surprised to see that the microglial contact with the axon happens before the formation of new boutons,” Stowell says. “This research suggests that microglia are very sensitive to changes in dopamine activity, and there is a compelling connection between microglial contact and structural changes at the axon.” Research in the Wang lab showed that administering a dopamine D2 receptor agonist, quinpirole, blocked plasticity in adolescence. Conversely, administering a D2 antagonist, eticlopride—an antipsychotic drug—to adult mice reinstated microglia recruitment to axons and promoted the formation of new boutons. Stowell says that future research will explore if combining pharmacological therapies with dopamine stimulation, such as through exercise, could help treat psychiatric disorders impacted by deficits in this area of the brain. “We now want to determine, at the molecular level, what exactly microglia are doing within the circuit. For example, how they are influencing the growth of boutons,” Stowell says. “We will be using pharmacological manipulations of specific microglial signaling systems as well as single-cell sequencing to dig into what makes this circuit malleable during adolescence but not adulthood.” Support for this research came from the National Institutes of Health and a pilot grant from the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience. Source: University of Rochester Original Study DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63314-4 — Previously Published on futurity.org with Creative Commons License *** – The world is changing fast. We help you keep up. We’ll send you 1 post, 3x per week. Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here. — Photo credit: unsplash The post Immune Cells Are Key to Teen Brain Wiring appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

Around 300 South Korean nationals were swept up in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia, Seoul said South Korea has lodged a protest after US immigration authorities detained hundreds of workers at Hyundai’s electric vehicle manufacturing complex in Georgia. The raid took place Thursday at the construction site of a battery plant in Bryan County near Savannah, a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution that employs about 1,200 people. US Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) said the operation was part of an inquiry into unlawful employment practices. The Atlanta office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives reported that 450 “unlawful aliens” were taken into custody. Today, @ATFAtlanta joined HSI, FBI, DEA, ICE, GSP and other agencies in a major immigration enforcement operation at the Hyundai mega site battery plant in Bryan County, GA, leading to the apprehension of ~450 unlawful aliens, emphasizing our commitment to community safety. #ATF pic.twitter.com/su6raLrLu6 — ATF Atlanta (@ATFAtlanta) September 4, 2025 South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said around 300 of those detained were South Korean nationals, including employees of partner firms visiting on business trips. Many had reportedly entered the US on short-term business visas or under the Visa Waiver Program, but immigration authorities concluded their activities at the site did not match the purpose of their stay. “The economic activities of our investment firms and the rights of our citizens must not be unfairly infringed upon during US law enforcement operations,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday, according to local media. “We have also conveyed our concerns and regret through the US Embassy in Seoul, urging them to ensure that the legitimate rights and interests of our citizens are fully protected.” The ministry added that President Lee Jae-myung had ordered “an all-out response” to resolve the issue, with Seoul considering “trips to the US by high-level officials.” US President Donald Trump has made cracking down on illegal immigration a central focus of his administration, vowing to carry out the largest deportation of criminal aliens in the country’s history. View the full article

— In today’s visually driven world, images matter more than ever. Whether you’re a professional photographer, a business owner, or someone who simply enjoys capturing memories on your phone, there’s always that one issue — unwanted objects sneaking into your perfect shot. That’s where Magic Eraser comes in. This powerful tool is changing the way we edit photos, making it easier than ever to remove distractions, refine compositions, and create scroll-stopping visuals. In this guide, we’ll explore how Magic Eraser works, its benefits, practical use cases, and tips to get the most out of it. What Is Magic Eraser? At its core, Magic Eraser is an AI-powered photo editing feature that allows you to remove unwanted objects, people, or blemishes from your images with just a few taps. Instead of spending hours on complex editing software, you can instantly clean up your photos and make them look professional. It’s like having a personal photo retoucher in your pocket — simple, quick, and surprisingly accurate. Why Magic Eraser Has Become So Popular There’s a reason Magic Eraser has quickly gained traction among casual users and professionals alike. Here’s why: Time-saving: No need to learn complicated software like Photoshop. User-friendly: Most Magic Eraser tools are designed with simplicity in mind. AI precision: Advanced algorithms fill in the background naturally, making edits seamless. Versatility: Works on everything from selfies to landscape photography. For anyone who wants stunning photos without diving into technical editing, it’s a game-changer. How Magic Eraser Works Behind the scenes, Magic Eraser uses AI and machine learning to analyze your image. When you highlight the object you want removed, the algorithm predicts what should replace it, then blends the background so the edit looks natural. For example, if you erase a stranger walking behind you in a beach photo, Magic Eraser will intelligently extend the sand, water, or sky to fill that spot. The result is a polished, distraction-free picture. Practical Examples of Magic Eraser in Action Still wondering how this tool fits into your workflow? Let’s look at a few real-world scenarios: 1. Travel Photography You’ve finally snapped that picture-perfect shot of the Eiffel Tower — only to notice a crowd of tourists in the background. With Magic Eraser, you can instantly clear them out and spotlight the landmark. 2. Business and Product Photos Small business owners often struggle to create clean product images without professional equipment. By using Magic Eraser, you can remove unwanted reflections, props, or clutter from your photos, making your products look high-end. 3. Personal Memories Maybe you took a great family photo, but your cousin blinked, or there’s a random trash can in the corner. Magic Eraser helps polish those once-in-a-lifetime memories. Tips for Getting the Best Results with Magic Eraser While the technology is powerful, a few simple tips can ensure flawless edits: Work on high-resolution images– The clearer your photo, the better the AI can replicate textures. Remove small objects first– Erasing huge areas at once may distort the background. Zoom in for precision– Carefully highlight only what you want removed. Use natural backgrounds– Repeating patterns like sand, grass, or sky work best. Experiment with different apps– Tools like Nano Banana Photo Editor combine Magic Eraser with other AI editing features, giving you even more flexibility. Magic Eraser vs. Traditional Editing Traditional editing software like Photoshop has long been the go-to for object removal. However, it often requires advanced skills, countless tutorials, and hours of effort. Magic Eraser simplifies that process by using AI to do the heavy lifting. Speed: Magic Eraser edits take seconds, not hours. Accessibility: No design experience required. Cost-effectiveness: Many Magic Eraser tools are free or much cheaper than professional editing software. That said, professionals may still prefer manual editing for extremely detailed or commercial projects. But for everyday users, Magic Eraser strikes the perfect balance between quality and convenience. Who Should Use Magic Eraser? The beauty of Magic Eraser is that it’s not just for photographers. Anyone who takes photos can benefit, including: Influencers & content creators– Create cleaner, more engaging visuals for social media. Business owners– Showcase products and services professionally. Travelers– Capture beautiful destinations without photobombers. Families– Preserve personal memories without distractions. The Future of AI-Powered Editing Magic Eraser is just the beginning. As AI continues to evolve, we’re likely to see even smarter photo editing tools that can automatically suggest edits, adjust lighting, and enhance composition. Imagine an app that not only removes distractions but also improves colors, balances shadows, and creates professional-quality edits instantly. In fact, platforms like Nano Banana Photo Editor are already moving in this direction, blending multiple AI tools into one seamless experience. Conclusion In a world where visuals speak louder than words, tools like Magic Eraser empower anyone to create stunning, distraction-free photos. Whether you’re documenting travels, running a business, or just snapping memories, this AI-driven technology can save you time while elevating your images. With just a few taps, you can transform ordinary photos into professional-grade visuals. And when combined with advanced tools like Nano Banana Photo Editor, the possibilities for creativity are endless. So next time you’re about to delete a photo because of an unwanted object, remember — Magic Eraser can save the shot. — This content is brought to you by Hussain Ali Photo provided by the author. The post The Ultimate Guide to Using Magic Eraser for Flawless Photos appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

By Mark Baxter, The 74 This story first appeared at The 74, a nonprofit news site covering education. Sign up for free newsletters from The 74 to get more like this in your inbox. Teaching has a retention problem, especially for educators from diverse backgrounds — and the problem could grow even worse. Last month, the U.S. Department of Education withheld funding to states for preparing, training and recruiting teachers, and though it released the funds after facing significant backlash, there is now tremendous uncertainty about the commitment to the quality of educators at the federal level. It is up to states and districts to redouble their efforts to address shortage and retention issues that have impacted schools for far too long. In my home state of Delaware, 30% of teachers overall and 37% of nonwhite teachers leave public education within five years, and the numbers are similar in other states. It’s a big reason why teacher shortages remain such a persistent challenge, particularly in special education and STEM classrooms and in poor and predominantly Black communities. These trends are not new, but the nationwide decline in reading and math achievement over the last 10 years makes addressing them more urgent than ever. The administration’s recent actions have only made that work harder. Even in this fractured political environment, though, there’s continued bipartisan support for career pathway programs that can address these issues by helping young people develop skills that lead to good-paying jobs. Classrooms are filled with talented young people with the potential to become great teachers who understand, through firsthand experience, their communities’ needs. Instead of making them wait until after college to choose teaching as a career, the path to the profession should start in high school. Efforts to connect high school and educator preparation already exist, through organizations like Educators Rising and the Center for Black Educator Development. But school, district and state leaders should seize the opportunity to expand these models much more widely. Here are the first three steps that could make it happen. First, states should use federal policy and strategic funding to address low starting pay and the high cost of training, which are both barriers for aspiring teachers. For example, Delaware has found innovative ways to boost starting salaries for both new teachers and aspiring educators participating in residency programs, in which they spend a year in classrooms observing and learning from veterans. Districts in Delaware have combined state and local funding to increase stipends for teacher residents from $20,000 to over $40,000 in some districts by using strategic staffing models to shift unused budget allocations into funding for these programs. Additionally, the state recently introduced new Grow Your Own grant programs, which help districts or charter schools establish their own teacher pathways. It also registered teaching as an apprenticeship to help lower the upfront costs of certification by placing aspiring teachers in paid positions in schools while they’re completing their training. Second, districts should look to career and technical (CTE) programs as pathways into teaching. CTE leaders, teacher recruitment teams and district career counselors must work together, meeting regularly to identify high school students with potential to become strong teachers and encouraging them to take advantage of education pathways programs. They should also monitor the progress of pathways participants, troubleshoot any issues and brainstorm ways to make programming more relevant and meaningful. These can include offering hands-on learning opportunities, such as tutoring and job-shadowing educators at neighboring schools, that allow students to earn college credit. This, in turn, would help colleges recruit high-achieving students into their education programs to take the next step toward teacher certification. Third, schools must recruit passionate educators to support aspiring teachers of all backgrounds. Students need teachers who reflect their identities and experiences. It’s not news that the U.S. has a teacher diversity problem — nationally, only about 20% of educators at public schools are people of color. But districts and states can work toward staffing high school teacher pathway courses with educators who can build culturally affirming environments that inspire the next generation of teachers. Through its year-long high school CTE course for students interested in teaching, the Center for Black Educator Development has shown that this strategy works. The program, which includes high school students in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Michigan, provides a culturally affirming curriculum and pairs students with passionate educators as mentors. Students who completed the program showed an increased interest in teaching — and, specifically, in teaching Black students. Schools can nurture the next generation of education changemakers — teachers who will reflect the diversity of their future students — even before they graduate. If education leaders and policymakers are serious about solving the teacher recruitment, retention and diversity challenges that have bedeviled schools for generations, they must move beyond isolated initiatives and build a cohesive, systemic approach that starts in high school. By fully integrating teacher pathway programs into high schools, they can ignite a passion for teaching among students, create seamless transitions into the profession and ensure more classrooms are led by educators who reflect and understand the communities they serve. The pieces of the puzzle already exist — education leaders just need the collective will to see the big picture and put them together. — This story was produced by The 74, a non-profit, independent news organization focused on education in America. *** Subscribe to The Good Men Project Newsletter Email Address * Subscribe If you believe in the work we are doing here at The Good Men Project, please join us as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here. Photo credit: iStock The post To Tackle the Teacher Shortage, Start the Path to the Profession in High School appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

By Abhinash Das India is renowned for its diverse range of affordable and flavourful street foods, found everywhere from bustling metro cities to remote villages and everywhere in between. Among these, pani puri stands out as one of the most loved and easily available quick snacks. Its widespread appeal is evident from the fact that it is popular not only in India but also in other South Asian countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan. A crunchy savoury snack Pani puri is one of India’s most iconic street foods, which is a bite-sized explosion of flavour packed inside a crispy, hollow shell. These deep-fried, golden spheres, called ‘Puri’, are typically stuffed with a mix of spiced potatoes, chickpeas, raw onions, and an array of tangy spices. The spheres are then dunked into a flavoured watery dip that makes every mouthful burst with zest. While the exact origin of this beloved snack remains subject to debate, with many legends surrounding it, a more credible source suggests it originates from the ancient Magadha kingdom (544–322 BCE), located in today’s north-eastern Indian State of Bihar. One popular tale from the epic story Mahabharata says that Draupadi (one of the epic’s heroines), tasked with feeding the five Pandava brothers with limited resources, invented the snack to ensure an equal portion for each. Food historians believe that its earliest version, known as phulki, first emerged in Magadha. These were small, hollow puris filled with spiced water, a simple yet ingenious idea that, over centuries, evolved into the beloved pani puri enjoyed today. From the busy streets of urban spaces to the quiet corners of rural India, pani puri is enjoyed under many names, such as golgappa, phuchka, and gupchup — each carrying its own regional twist. But no matter what one calls it, the joy of that first, delightfully crunchy bite is followed by a rush of spicy, tangy water that lingers long after, is undeniable. The snack varies widely in its preparation and ingredients across different regions of India. In the eastern states, such as West Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, it is commonly known as Phuchka. The primary filling for Phuchka is “Ghugni”, a mixture of black chickpeas or spiced peas, which gives it a distinct regional flavour. In northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, pani puri is referred to as Gol Gappa. This variation typically features a filling of mashed potatoes and is served with zesty tamarind liquid. In contrast, in western states such as Maharashtra and Gujarat, the classic version of pani puri is more prevalent. It includes fillings of green or white peas, accompanied by mint-coriander spicy water and a sweet tamarind-jaggery water, offering a delightful balance of flavours. On Facebook, Indian celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor posted a recipe for pani puri, illustrating how phuchka preparation differs from region to region, yet the taste and flavour are delicious regardless of locale. Pani puri’s worldwide reach The reach and popularity of pani puri are not confined to India. In recent years, this iconic street food has gained international acclaim. Non-Resident Indian (NRI) communities in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Malaysia, and Australia enjoy Panipuri at local Indian restaurants and proudly showcase it at food festivals, introducing its vibrant and irresistible flavours to a global audience. In April 2025, a group of students at a university in Budapest, Hungary, tried pani puri for the first time and enthusiastically praised its delightful taste and unique flavours. Similarly, in June 2024, Curry Corner, an Indian-owned restaurant in Minneapolis, USA, offered free Pani puris to the public and shared a video of the event on Instagram. The video quickly went viral, amassing 3.9 million views and significantly boosting the dish’s popularity. Curry Corner posted a video on Instagram showcasing people’s reactions to pani puri: In March 2023, former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida tasted pani puri during his visit to India, delighting in its vibrant flavours. In the same year, Japan’s Ambassador to India, Hiroshi Suzuki, enjoyed Indian street food, including pani puri, in Varanasi, and praised its exceptional culinary appeal. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared this moment on X, highlighting the growing global appreciation for India’s street food culture: As pani puri’s popularity goes global, so too does its evolution. The snack has become a canvas for creative fusions, blending its traditional crunch with international flavours. One popular Mexican-Indian fusion version replaces the classic potato filling with spiced beans and tangy salsa. Similarly, an Italian-style pani puri also exists, showcasing the dish’s remarkable versatility and ability to adapt to new tastes. In 2023, Google celebrated July 12 as “Pani Puri Day” with an interactive Google Doodle to honour a remarkable world record. On this date in 2015, Indori Zyaka, a restaurant based in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India, set a world record by serving an astonishing 51 unique flavours of Pani Puri, showcasing the dish’s versatility and widespread appeal. Stereotypes around Pani Puri Despite its widespread popularity, Pani puri is not free from gender biases and stereotypes in India. Many perceive it as “a girl’s snack”, often observing more women than men at Pani puri stalls. An article published by The Wire attributes this stereotype to societal norms, cultural expectations, and women’s limited access to public spaces. However, countless men also express their love for pani puri, highlighting its universal appeal and establishing it as a gender-neutral snack enjoyed by all. A common stereotype about pani puri is that street vendor preparations are often unhygienic. However, regulated stalls and homemade versions prioritise safety by using filtered water and fresh ingredients, effectively debunking contamination concerns. Moreover, in recent years, many street vendors have adopted improved hygiene practices, such as wearing gloves and using clean utensils, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable experience for customers. Popular South Korean YouTuber Mhyochi, aka Hyojeong Park, posted on X about her first panipuri experience while visiting India. Pani puri transcends borders, seamlessly blending tradition with global appeal. More than just a snack, it embodies cultural heritage, evokes fond memories of tangy evening treats with friends, and sparks lively discussions. Over time, it has woven itself into popular culture, with people expressing their love for pani puri through videos capturing their first experiences, as well as memes and songs that celebrate its charm. Pani puri’s appeal goes far beyond its ingredients, serving as a powerful symbol of joy and shared memories for many Indians. — Previously Published on globalvoices.org with Creative Commons License *** Does dating ever feel challenging, awkward or frustrating? Turn Your Dating Life into a WOW! with our new classes and live coaching. Click here for more info or to buy with special launch pricing! *** On Substack? Follow us there for more great dating and relationships content. Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. A complete list of benefits is here. — Photo Credit: iStock The post Why the Pani Puri Platter Remains India’s Favourite Snack appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

The backers of the banned group rallied on Parliament Square on Saturday More than 425 people were arrested in London on Saturday for showing support for the banned activist group Palestine Action, the Metropolitan Police said. The group was outlawed under the Terrorism Act in June after its members broke into a military base and spray-painted two planes red in protest against Israel’s war in Gaza. Since then, its supporters have staged multiple demonstrations against the ban. On Saturday, activists gathered on Parliament Square carrying Palestinian flags and signs reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” Police detained people standing and sitting on the lawn, including several activists in wheelchairs. Some protesters were filmed scuffling with officers. The reality: Met police violently assault peaceful protestors including the elderly, in order to try and arrest over a thousand people for holding cardboard signs. So far, the police have only managed to arrest a small fraction of the nearly 1500 sign holders. https://t.co/R0eS53EFVP pic.twitter.com/z676sQiEfo — Defend Our Juries (@DefendourJuries) September 6, 2025 The reality: the police are punching their way through the crowds to mass arrest peaceful protestors for holding cardboard signs. https://t.co/VEMHstGqjd pic.twitter.com/ofDOgEIBw2 — Defend Our Juries (@DefendourJuries) September 6, 2025 “In carrying out their duties today, our officers have been punched, kicked, spat on and had objects thrown at them by protesters,” Deputy Assistant Commissioner Claire Smart said. Officers continue to make arrests of individuals showing support for the proscribed terrorist organisation Palestine Action at the Defend Our Juries protest. There has been a coordinated effort to prevent officers carrying out their duties which has included physical and verbal… pic.twitter.com/c3QTHQawBs — Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) September 6, 2025 Protesters remained in Parliament Square until the evening. Defend Our Juries, the group that organized the rally, described the protest as “one of the biggest mass acts of civil disobedience in British history.” View the full article

By Jeffrey Dixon How will AI affect American workers? There are two major narratives floating around. The “techno-optimist” view is that AI will free humans from boring tasks and create new jobs, while the “techno-pessimist” view is that AI will lead to widespread unemployment. As a sociologist who studies job insecurity, I’m among the pessimists. And that’s not just because of AI itself. It’s about something deeper – what scholars call “American exceptionalism.” While people commonly use this phrase to refer to anything that makes the U.S. unique, I use it narrowly to refer to the country’s approach to work and social welfare, which is quite different from the systems in other rich countries. I suspect AI will “turbocharge” American exceptionalism in ways that make workers more afraid of losing their jobs. When fused with organizations’ adoption of new types of AI, workers’ fears may soon become reality, if they haven’t already. An ‘exceptional’ system for American workers Let’s start with what makes the U.S. different, especially from other rich countries. The U.S. has relatively low levels of unionization, an “at-will” employment system, a modest welfare state, and a two-party system that lacks a social democratic tradition. Many wealthy countries boast higher unionization rates, stricter protections against being fired, and – particularly in Europe – more robust welfare states. In other words, even before AI came into the picture, American workers were facing a system stacked against them. This tendency grew more pronounced starting in the late 1970s, with Democrats and Republicans alike pursuing reforms such as stripping regulations and rolling back the welfare state. Between 1983 and 2022, unionization rates fell by more than 50%; they remain low today. In the 1990s, President Bill Clinton pledged to “end welfare as we know it” and followed with a law slashing support programs. Meanwhile, U.S. workers’ inflation-adjusted wages have stagnated and income inequality has risen since the 1970s. The current Trump administration has taken these “exceptional” traits even further. From firing the head of the National Labor Relations Board to his executive order undermining federal employee unions, Trump has usurped the power of regulatory agencies and workers themselves. And more cuts to the welfare state are coming now that Trump’s domestic policy bill has been signed into law, including reductions in food aid and health insurance. One telling example is the Trump administration’s mass firing of federal workers. While they are making their way through the courts, these efforts are notable for targeting government positions that have long been thought to be the most secure jobs. As a sociologist, I think it’s fair to say that the U.S. is even more “exceptional” than it was just a year ago. This trend lays the foundation for U.S. workers to fear losing their jobs, for employers to cut workers loose, and for people to struggle making ends meet. American exceptionalism, meet AI To understand what’s happening, it helps to look at the different kinds of artificial intelligence, which generally refers to machines such as computers that can perform tasks comparably to humans. One type is predictive AI, which is what powers your streaming and social media recommendations. The second type is generative AI, which is used to create seemingly novel content. ChatGPT and other large language models fall in this category. The third type, agentic AI, cannot only predict and plan outcomes but also can act autonomously to achieve those outcomes. Self-driving cars are perhaps the most well-known example. Companies are increasingly using generative AI to boost productivity. According to Stanford University’s 2025 AI index report, generative AI has already surpassed human performance on a range of tasks, including visual reasoning and answering competition-level math and Ph.D.-level science questions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has warned that generative AI will affect jobs across a range of industries. I think agentic AI will have dramatic implications for the workforce. Companies are already beginning to use it for customer service in industries from finance to travel. As if on cue, OpenAI recently released ChatGPT agent, which it says can handle “complex tasks from start to finish.” When you combine technological advancements – such as the current transition to generative AI and the likely broader agentic AI transition – with turbocharged American exceptionalism, you get a formula for job insecurity and displacement. How AI might affect the future of job security Interestingly, despite having fewer protections from firing and a more threadbare unemployment system, American workers are no more afraid of losing their jobs than workers in other rich countries, research shows. These perceptions are generally constant over time, but they spike as a result of certain economic reforms and during recessions. Among the findings in my own research on free-market-driven economic reforms in Europe, people were most worried about losing their jobs in countries that had ratcheted up such policies within the past five years. That trend has important implications for the United States. Recent polling shows that about a third of U.S. workers believe AI will hurt their jobs or job opportunities. Business leaders say they expect job losses in the service industries, supply chain management and human resources over the next three years. There’s no shortage of predictions about AI-driven job gains and losses, but solid data is hard to come by – and don’t even bother asking most companies about AI-related layoffs. On one hand, business leaders surveyed by McKinsey in 2024 reported high demand for new jobs such as “AI compliance specialist” and “AI ethics specialist,” which are the kinds of new roles that techno-optimists say will be created by AI. On the other hand, it’s no small irony that AI was reportedly used to facilitate the mass firing of federal workers and may soon replace some Department of Education workers’ jobs. America’s fusion of limited labor protections and aggressive AI adoption could create the perfect storm for widespread job insecurity. While unions have organized for AI-related job protections, and states are attempting to regulate AI, the U.S.’s path realistically depends less on workers’ and local politicians’ actions than what companies do. And I think companies’ increasing integration of AI will likely hurt American workers more than it helps. If nothing changes, job insecurity may become the new normal. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Nevada Current is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nevada Current maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Hugh Jackson for questions: info@nevadacurrent.com. — Republished with permission from Nevada Current Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. A complete list of benefits is here. — Photo credit: iStock The post ‘American Exceptionalism’ Mixed With AI Could Be Especially Toxic for U.S. Workers appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

— Before most people pour their first cup of coffee, David Emerson Frost has already trained. Sometimes it is a row, sometimes a bike ride, sometimes a session of resistance training. The routine is not about chasing youth or clinging to vanity. In his seventies, Frost is practicing something he believes is more valuable: extending his strengthspan, the number of years he can remain capable, mobile, and independent. Frost has a blunt way of framing his philosophy. “Who wants to die earlier and easier?” he asks. His alternative is what he calls Healthitude, an operating system designed not for quick fixes but for a longer and sharper life. The Professional Case for Healthitude Healthitude is not another wellness slogan. It is Frost’s way of telling professionals what they already know about capital and compounding returns, translated into their own bodies. Leaders will obsessively track their financial portfolios, monitoring each movement of the markets, but neglect their health until it collapses. Frost flips the perspective: what if your body was an invaluable element in your total portfolio? What if daily investment in movement and recovery returned years of high-functioning life for your physical portfolio? He often compares exercise to the time value of money. Purposeful movement each week, compounded, should return seven to twelve down-aged years. Those years are not abstract. They are years of climbing stairs without hesitation, years of carrying luggage through airports without fear, years of running meetings with clarity instead of fatigue. The Healthitude payoff, Frost argues, is leadership longevity. The “why” here is urgent. Americans are living longer but often living worse. Cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death, is largely preventable. The average adult will spend more than a decade in physical decline, dependent on pills or caretakers, unless they intervene. Frost’s question to leaders is simple: if you would never tolerate double-digit losses in your financial portfolio, why tolerate them in your physical one? The 7-S Framework Healthitude is built around seven pillars Frost calls the 7-S framework: strengthspan, stability, stamina, stretching, sustenance, restorative sleep, and stress control. Each is deceptively simple, but together they form an operating system that redefines how people should age better than their peers. Strengthspan means mastering five basic resistance patterns: lift, push, pull, hinge or twist, and carry. These movements keep muscles firing and joints moving, not for personal records but for daily competence. Can you lift your own groceries? Can you sit on the floor and rise without help? That is strengthspan. Stability addresses the fear of falling, which erodes confidence long before it erodes ability. Balance, coordination, and proprioception can all be trained, and when they are neglected, independence is lost. Stamina is about cardiovascular endurance, built not through extremes but steady, repeatable effort. Frost cautions about too many punishing marathons or “ultra” events. Sustained inflammation is too often the result of training outside one’s prudent “Dose-Response” curve. What leaders functionally need is the capacity to sustain long days and extended pressure without breaking down. Stretching preserves range of motion for activities of daily life: bending, reaching, twisting, walking. The loss of mobility makes people feel old faster than gray hair or wrinkles ever will. Sustenance refers to nutrients based on a lifestyle strategy. Frost urges anti-inflammatory eating, not as a temporary diet but as a way of life. Food fuels performance, while the standard American diet accelerates decline. Restorative sleep is the unglamorous but indispensable element of recovery and resilience. Leaders who boast about burning the candle at both ends are eroding their performance, not proving their toughness. Sleep deprivation is akin to inebriation. Stress control completes the framework. Frost treats it as deliberate work: breathing practices, reflection, managing urgencies at work, and body scans for play. He frames it not as a luxury but as a hedge against the mental wear that raises cortisol and accelerates physical decline. The Missing Piece: Mental Health and Manopause Frost is careful to remind clients that physical health cannot be separated from mental and emotional stability. Anxiety, depression, and burnout compromise energy and leadership as quickly as high cholesterol or poor diet. Stress control is one piece of the puzzle, but he encourages leaders to treat mental health check-ins with the same seriousness they bring to financial audits. For men in midlife and beyond, Frost points out an often-overlooked factor: manopause. Testosterone declines with age, and so does resilience if it is ignored. Fatigue, irritability, weight gain, and loss of drive are not just aging. They are signals. Frost argues that acknowledging manopause, just as openly as menopause is now discussed, removes stigma and prompts proactive steps in nutrition, training, and medical support. The operating system of Healthitude is not about denying aging; it is about managing it with intelligence and discipline. From the Navy to the Boathouse Frost’s credibility comes from lived proof. A former Navy officer and executive, he reinvented himself after a spinal fusion at 49, becoming a world champion in master’s rowing. His setbacks did not confirm decline; they became platforms for new performance. He coaches with the discipline of the military and the pragmatism of someone who has seen fads come and go. His method does not depend on machines, supplements, or trendy gear. It is rooted in simple, repeatable Healthitude practices that most anyone can adopt. What Frost offers is not theory but operating experience. He has tested this system on himself and others, and the message he brings is designed for people who understand discipline and demand results. Action, Not Aspiration Healthitude is not abstract. It is not about wanting to be healthy. It is about showing up daily. Frost often begins with small assignments that dismantle excuses. Choose one resistance exercise and repeat it twice this week, focusing on safe form before weight. Walk for a few minutes after meals and pay attention to your digestion and blood sugar. Strive to sleep for seven hours and notice how your resilience and clarity improve. These may seem small, but Frost insists they are the foundation of rebellion. Progress happens by persistence, not perfection. The body, like a company, adapts better to what is practiced. Leaders know this principle well: consistent deposits lead to compounding returns. Why Leaders Cannot Ignore This For business professionals, the “why” is sharper than personal vanity. Leaders set the tone for their teams. Their health is not just personal well-being, it is organizational stability. A burned-out leader who collapses early leaves a vacuum in culture and continuity. A leader who models presence, resilience, and discipline becomes a force multiplier. Frost argues that professionals who fail to invest in their health not only shorten their own careers, they jeopardize the organizations and people who depend on them. In contrast, leaders who build their strengthspan extend their influence and legacy. The Choice At the center of Frost’s philosophy is a binary choice. You can drift toward decline, letting screens, processed food, and stress dictate your trajectory. Or you can build a physical portfolio with the same discipline you bring to your business. You can die earlier and easier, or harder and later. The rebellion is not glamorous, yet its operating system works. It begins with motion before coffee, with a walk after lunch, with food that fuels, with sleep that restores, with stress managed instead of ignored. These choices compound. They extend strengthspan. They keep leaders in the game longer, sharper, steadier. For professionals who understand discipline and demand results, Frost’s message is clear. Healthitude is not an option. It is the operating system for a longer career, a longer life, and a stronger finish. To learn more about David Emerson Frost’s approach, or to work with him, visit his website at https://wellpastforty.org/ — This content is brought to you by Noen Noah Photo provided by the author. The post Healthitude and Strengthspan: David Emerson Frost’s Operating System to Die Harder and Later appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

It happens in conversations you can’t quite explain. You say something, and for a heartbeat too long, their eyes stay with yours. Not just looking — staying. Not a glance. Not a polite flicker of attention. A quiet, unwavering focus, like they’ve decided the rest of the world can wait. We’ve all felt it — that subtle shift where time gets syrup-thick, and you wonder if they’re hearing your words or reading you entirely. … The Science Behind That Linger Neuroscientists call it mutual gaze. When two people lock eyes for longer than a second or two, your brain releases a cocktail of oxytocin (the bonding hormone) and dopamine (the “this feels good” chemical). That’s why it feels… different. Your pulse ticks higher. You become hyper-aware of yourself — your posture, your breathing, the way your voice sounds when it leaves your mouth. In other words, your brain is quietly flagging the moment as important. … Three Things That Lingering Look Might Mean 1. They’re Listening With Their Whole Self Some people don’t just hear words; they listen to the person saying them. Eye contact is their anchor — it’s how they stay tethered to your story. … 2. They’re Letting You In Longer eye contact often signals openness. It’s as if they’re saying, I’m here. I’m not looking away. You have me. This is how trust begins — unrushed, steady, and almost silent. … 3. They Feel Something They Can’t Yet Name Attraction, admiration, recognition — sometimes the brain doesn’t label it right away. So it lingers, buying time, letting the moment stretch until it almost hums. … When You Notice It, Don’t Rush It Most of us are so used to fast exchanges — quick nods, polite smiles, that when someone actually stays, our instinct is to look away, laugh, or break the tension. But here’s the quiet secret: That tension is where connection grows. Let it stay for three beats longer than feels natural. You’ll be surprised what lives in that space. … Because sometimes, the most honest conversations don’t happen in words at all — they happen in the stillness between them. — This post was previously published on medium.com. Love relationships? We promise to have a good one with your inbox. Subcribe to get 3x weekly dating and relationship advice. Did you know? We have 8 publications on Medium. Join us there! Hello, Love (relationships) Change Becomes You (Advice) A Parent is Born (Parenting) Equality Includes You (Social Justice) Greener Together (Environment) Shelter Me (Wellness) Modern Identities (Gender, etc.) Co-Existence (World) *** – Photo credit: Michael Fenton on Unsplash The post The Way Someone’s Eyes Linger — And What It Secretly Means appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

The French president’s rating has sunk to record lows amid a budget deficit Thousands marched through Paris on Saturday, demanding the resignation of President Emmanuel Macron and calling for France to leave the EU. Macron’s approval rating has dropped to its lowest level since he took office in 2017, amid a spiraling budget deficit and growing discontent with his government’s financial policies. Around 80% of French people say they do not trust Macron, according to a poll conducted for Le Figaro and published on Wednesday. Trust in Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, the fifth to hold the post in less than two years, has also fallen to record lows. Protesters carried placards reading “Let’s stop Macron, let’s stop the war” and “Frexit,” a French play on Brexit. Énorme ! « #MacronDémission » hurlent des milliers et des milliers de Français ce jour dans les rues de Paris à l’appel des Patriotes ! (cf vidéo ⤵️) Les Français en ont marre : il doit partir ! Parlementaires, reveillez-vous : votez la motion de destitution qui sera déposée… pic.twitter.com/tUa8NWh2cU — Florian Philippot (@f_philippot) September 6, 2025 The rally was organized by former National Rally politician Florian Philippot and his euroskeptic party, The Patriots, which opposes arms deliveries to Ukraine and warns against further escalation with Russia. 🚨 🇫🇷 ALERTE VIDÉO : Une grande manifestation de patriotes se déroule actuellement dans les rues de Paris, à l’initiative de Florian Philippot ! Un mot pour les soutenir ? pic.twitter.com/iwvClzwneP — Wolf 🐺 (@PsyGuy007) September 6, 2025 Left-wing activists and trade unions are planning separate strikes and protests on Wednesday under the slogan “Let’s block everything.” Bayrou is facing a no-confidence vote on Monday as he seeks support for his proposed budget, with France struggling under a fiscal deficit of 5.8% of GDP – nearly double the EU’s 3% limit. His plan includes cuts to public sector jobs, welfare programs, and pensions, measures the opposition has denounced as prioritizing military spending over social support. View the full article

By Helen Flannery Dear Mr. Springsteen, My name is Helen, and I am your biggest fan. I first saw you in concert when I was in high school. It was in 1985, during your Born in the USA tour. Your show at the Pontiac Silverdome had sold out in 15 minutes. But a friend of mine won tickets from a local radio station, so we and 69,842 other attendees got to see you play for — if I remember right — more than four and a half hours, including four encores. Back in those days, I had a picture of you up on the door of my locker. I listened to The River and Nebraska while I was doing my homework. I wrote about you in my college application. I even dated a classmate named Bruce (mainly, in retrospect, because he shared your name). You became my hero, not just because your music is so good — and fun! — but also because your lyrics spoke to me. You understood pain and joy. You wrote about the struggles and triumphs everyday people go through. You were brave enough to talk about class. And you articulated how economic inequality affects real human lives. As someone who lived in southeastern Michigan in the early ’80s, that meant a lot. Now, decades after that show, I research economic inequality for a living. I study how billionaires are raking in more than ever, and how they’re doing it at the expense of the rest of us. I see how that prevents people I love from earning a decent living, owning homes, going to college, getting the medical care they need, retiring with dignity, living on a healthy planet, and living without fear. What I research, specifically, is the relationship between inequality and charity. My work shows that everyday donors are disappearing, unable to give as much as they used to because they’re slipping further into debt and despair. As small donors disappear, charities become more dependent on the random goodwill of wealthy donors. That hurts charities and anybody who depends on them, and it’s getting worse. It doesn’t have to be this way. Billionaires could be paying their fair share of taxes to support the systems we all depend on. We don’t have to let them get out of it with tax cuts, deductions, and shelters. I don’t think anyone actually needs a billion dollars to live a comfortable life — but billionaires always seem to want more. So when I saw that you had made it onto the Forbes billionaires list this year with a net worth of $1.2 billion, I was surprised and, I have to say, a little sad. My working-class hero had joined the ranks of these super-wealthy people I read about every day. What will he do now, I wondered? Now that he’s up there with all those heiresses and Rockefellers? Please, Mr. Springsteen, be a model for your fellow billionaires: Don’t stay one. Please give away some of that money. And not to a private foundation or a donor-advised fund. The typical wealthy donor pours zillions of dollars into those kinds of holding tanks, and only a trickle of that money comes out to charities doing real work on the ground. Our country’s charities need that money now. You’ve already proven you’re a bold and direct giver. At every one of your concerts that I’ve been to since 1985, you donated a portion of the proceeds to local charities — food banks, veterans support groups, farm aid organizations — based in the town where you were performing. You sometimes even invited representatives of those groups up onto stage with you. This all sets a fantastic precedent, and you can continue it now in a bigger way than ever. It’s absolutely true what you said: “Poor man wanna be rich, rich man wanna be king, and the king ain’t satisfied until he rules everything.” I’m begging you not to be a typical rich man. I know we can have a country where everyone has an equal chance at a decent life. But the only way we’re going to get there is if the wealth isn’t hoarded at the top. And I believe you know that too. You’ve never shuttered yourself off in that mansion on a hill. You’ve spoken powerfully recently about how authoritarianism is ramping up in our country, putting yourself out on a limb for the most vulnerable among us and earning vicious attacks from President Trump, one of our most pernicious wannabe kings. So I’m guessing that you’re already thinking about this. If you are, I urge you to follow your heart. You can lead the others by example, and you can do it with the brilliance and compassion and humor and wisdom you’ve shown your whole career. Love, Helen — Previously Published on inequality.org with Creative Commons License *** Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. A complete list of benefits is here. Subscribe to The Good Men Project Newsletter Email Address * — Photo credit: unsplash The post An Open Letter to the Boss appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

— The Emperor, a tarot card symbolizing emotions, can be a strong one, especially in regard to heart concerns. It connotes strength, grounded energy, and the ability to create a stable emotional foundation. If this card appears in a love reading, what is often highlighted about it is the presence of stability, commitment, and responsibility. Having the Emperor as feelings and knowing what this archetype represents, you are able to deal better with relationships with more understanding, not only viewing what a person feels but also how he or she is willing to express it in the long term. Reading the Emperor as Feelings In interpreting Emperor tarot feelings, there are several recurring themes that emerge. Rather than raw passion or transitory feelings, the card signals intense and purposeful energies. The Emperor suggests a feeling of control, protection, and emotional structure. It suggests that one’s feelings are not only present but worked through as well, with the intention of building something that will endure. Thus, that person may feel deeply protective of you. The card typically suggests a subconscious desire to provide care, protect you, and anchor affection with practical action, suggesting that their feelings about you are not fleeting but built on long-term intentions. It represents the need to keep emotional security in abeyance while deciding on the basis of long-term stability. That is, when the Emperor appears, it normally means that someone has ideas about you that extend beyond short-term desire. They may value respect, solidity, and knowing they are there when needed. In plain language, having the Emperor as feelings can be understood through some characteristic features: Control harmonized with devotion Care with reliability Love that is conveyed through the offer of safety All these characteristics reveal a type of love that is stable, steadfast, and committed to long-term safety. Signs of Stability and Commitment One of the most straightforward messages that the Emperor has is that an individual’s desire for a relationship is strong and stable. Instead of uncertainty or emotional turmoil, this card means someone who prefers level ground in their emotional life. They may exhibit protective instincts, offering solidity and support. This stability, however, has its problems. Sometimes there are some underlying attachment issues, and the individual will have a high need so that he/she can retain what is seen to be safe. However, this attachment typically comes up because of the need to secure and hold on to what is most precious. In the same manner, the Emperor card suggests readiness to make long-term investments. It suggests that the person is ready to commit, take ownership, and spend serious energy in making the relationship work. For someone who wants clarity, understanding these signals can help in interpreting not only what one feels but also how those emotions are going to unfold in practice. Love, Responsibility & Emotional Depth Love under the guidance of the Emperor never takes anything lightly. Instead, it is a union with respect and responsibility behind it. In a reading, Emperor tarot emotions show a balance between love and practical commitment. It is love that endures because it combines passion with discipline and intimacy with responsibility. The Emperor’s heart in relationships lies in the balance of emotional depth and responsible action. It is being capable of loving intensely and, at the same time, protecting and maintaining the practical elements that will keep a relationship healthy. Understanding the Emperor as “how someone feels about you” can guide you in making decisions about your future. Thus, this card signals an emotional life of demonstrating love in terms of commitment, reliability, and being able to stand firm when things become difficult. — This content is brought to you by Sky Link Building iStockPhoto The post Interpreting The Emperor as Feelings: Love, Commitment and Emotion appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

This peach chutney recipe blends fruity flavors with savory spices, all in one irresistible recipe. It’s an easy way to turn ripe peaches into a bold, delicious condiment that pairs beautifully with countless dishes. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a jar ready to enjoy anytime at home! A Note From Kristen Despite their complex flavors, homemade chutneys are surprisingly easy (and fun!) to make. You don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen, and you’ll end up with something that adds loads of excitement to simple meals! In my special recipe, the garam masala infuses the chutney with tons of warmth and flavor. It’s a fantastic addition! I make it a point to cook this chutney whenever I have fresh peaches on hand, and once you try this recipe, I don’t doubt you’ll make it a habit, too! Happy eating! ~Kristen Ingredient Notes Please keep in mind that this is just a quick overview. Visit the full recipe for amounts and instructions! Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Used as the base for sautéing the aromatics and spices, allowing them to release their flavors. Yellow Onion: Brings natural sweetness and savory notes to balance the peach’s flavors. You can use white or red onion, but the final flavor will be slightly different. Fresh Ginger Root: Adds warmth and gentle heat to balance the sweetness. Garam Masala: Infuses the chutney with complex flavors of warm spices like cardamom, cumin, and cloves, giving it a more rounded, aromatic depth. This is my secret ingredient! Ground Coriander: Offers an earthy, mildly citrusy undertone that brightens the chutney. Ripe Peaches: The most important ingredient! They bring natural sweetness, juiciness, and color. As they cook, the peaches soften into a thick, jam-like consistency that makes the chutney enjoyable to eat. Apple Cider Vinegar: Balances the chutney by cutting through its sweetness with acidity. Maple Syrup or Coconut Sugar: Enhances the flavors of the peaches while also giving the chutney a deeper, caramel-like richness. You can use honey or regular sugar, but maple syrup and coconut sugar bring a richer, deeper sweetness. Salt: Improves the natural flavors of the ingredients. Red Chili Flakes: Adds a spicy kick that contrasts well with the sweetness of the peaches. How to Make Peach Chutney 01 SAUTE Warm the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion and cook for about 3 minutes, until softened. 02 ADD Add the ginger, garam masala, and coriander, then cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. 03 COMBINE Stir in the peaches, vinegar, maple syrup, salt, and chili flakes. 04 SIMMER Simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes, until thickened and jammy. 05 SERVE Cool and enjoy! Serving Ideas As a topping or glaze for roasted vegetables like my sweet potato medallions. Serve alongside a curry with a dollop of plain yogurt (my favorite!). Spread on your favorite flatbread. Spread inside a grilled cheese sandwich before cooking it (it’s super good – I promise!). Use as a spread with cheese and crackers. It’s particularly tasty paired with extra sharp white cheddar! Expert Tip While you can eat it right after cooling, it tastes even better after it has rested in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. The flavors meld and grow more complex in time! Peach Chutney Recipe Sweet, tangy, and perfectly spiced, this easy peach chutney recipe adds a burst of flavor to any meal or snack! Author: Kristen Wood Servings: 8 servings Prep Time: 10minutes minutes Cook Time: 20minutes minutes Total Time: 30minutes minutes Course: Condiments Cuisine: British, Indian Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian Ingredients 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil ½ cup yellow onion finely chopped 1 tablespoon fresh ginger root grated ½ teaspoon garam masala ¼ teaspoon ground coriander 2 cups ripe peaches diced 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons maple syrup or coconut sugar ½ teaspoon salt. ⅛ teaspoon red chili flakes Instructions Heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 3 minutes, or until soft. Stir in the ginger, garam masala, and coriander, and cook for 1 minute longer. Add the peaches, vinegar, maple syrup, salt, and chili flakes. Simmer uncovered 15–20 minutes, or until thickened and jammy. Cool and store in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Enjoy! Notes Storage Store in a jar with a lid or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Always use a clean tablespoon when scooping the chutney to avoid introducing any bacteria that may shorten its shelf life. Nutrition Serving: 1serving | Calories: 51kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 0.5g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 153mg | Potassium: 78mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 135IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.2mg — Previously Published on moonandspoonandyum *** Does dating ever feel challenging, awkward or frustrating? Turn Your Dating Life into a WOW! with our new classes and live coaching. Click here for more info or to buy with special launch pricing! *** On Substack? Follow us there for more great dating and relationships content. Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. A complete list of benefits is here. — Photo credit: Kristen Wood The post Easy Peach Chutney Recipe appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

By Alex Bainbridge, Jordan AK & Solomon Doyle Counterprotests were organised across the country to the far-right March for Australia rallies on August 31. In Naarm/Melbourne and Gadigal Country/Sydney, Stop the Genocide, Stand up to Racism and Fascism rallies were organised. Thousands attended the racist mobilisations, which anti-racist social media activist Tom Tanuki told Green Left were organised on a “slippery” platform. He said the rallies were billed as being about “mass immigration but actually a lot of the people there agree with the neo-Nazis, who originally organised it”. “Half the point of them was for [these rallies] to be a blank canvas for neo-Nazis to show up and be welcomed, which is exactly what happened. “There were only about 10–15 neo-Nazis here in Brisbane, but in Sydney they led the march!” In Naarm, far-right social media content creator Avi Yemini was assaulted and kicked out of the far-right rally for not being white enough. Neo-Nazis told the media they are “proud to be racist”. Jordan AK reported that thousands gathered at the State Library for a Pro-Palestine, anti-fascist demonstration in Naarm, which was a combination of the weekly Palestine rally and a counter-protest called against the racist anti-immigration March for Australia. First Nations, refugee, Jewish, Black and Palestinian community speakers addressed the rally. Refugee rights activist Aran Mylvaganam told the crowd that racism is useful for the major parties: “Blaming migrants distracts from their inability to deliver higher wages, affordable housing and decent services. It keeps the bosses happy, while workers are told to blame each other.” Meanwhile, outside Flinders Street station, up to 5000 people gathered for the March for Australia. The crowd carried Australian flags and placards bearing anti-immigration, racist and white supremacist slogans. They amplified the major parties’ shameful and erroneous attempts to blame migrants and refugees for the housing affordability crisis. Although police attempted to keep the two marches separate, there were multiple incidents where March for Australia protesters entered the pro-Palestine march and instigated brawls. The marches eventually met at the corner of Collins and Elizabeth Streets. Riot police used capsicum spray and beanbag rounds against protesters from both rallies, although disproportionately against the pro-Palestine supporters. March for Australia organisers denied connections with far-right and neo-Nazi organisations, but Tom Sewell, a prominent leader of the far-right National Socialist Network (NSN), spoke at parliament for them. NSN members later attacked Camp Sovereignty, leaving many people injured, including a woman who was rushed to hospital. Camp Sovereignty is a sacred place maintained by First Peoples. Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe has called for an investigation into the attack as a hate crime. The attackers stormed the hill at 5.05pm, punching, kicking and swinging weapons at community members, targeting women. Four people required medical treatment, including one with critical head injuries. The group also stole Aboriginal flags and was seen destroying them. Thorpe said when Victoria Police arrived, the group walked away freely. Police did not appear to attempt any arrests or to question the perpetrators. Wangerriburra and Birri Gubba activist Sam Watson opened the Magan-djin/Brisbane anti-racist counter-protest describing one of the organisers of the far-right rally, who is the “son of a property-developing mogul who just develops and keeps heaps of empty houses to drive the price up”. Watson said it is a “ridiculous notion” to blame immigrants for driving up house prices. “It is not; it is absolutely not [migrants]; it is billionaires.” “It’s the people over there [at the far-right rally] who don’t want to blame billionaires, and the politicians who support the mega-rich and the wealthy,” Watson told the anti-racist rally. “They want to blame the people who come here trying to make a better life for their family.” “I get that people have genuine concerns about the cost of living and housing, but to blame immigrants is nothing more than racism.” Thousands marched for solidarity and against genocide through the centre of Gadigal Country. “At the other end of town was a so-called ‘March for Australia’, which was pushing the racist divide-and-rule poison that only helps the filthy rich get even richer,” Socialist Alliance member Peter Boyle said. “Our rally was a great turnout, despite messages sent to people in many migrant communities to stay out of the city, supposedly for their own safety.” Dave B told Green Left that there were thousands at the racist rally, including One Nation members, the neo-Nazi NSN and right-wing libertarians. Refugee Action Coalition Sydney organised a counter-protest at Prince Alfred Park, which was supported by Pride in Protest, Action for Public Housing and Rock against Racism. After hearing several speakers and playing music, activists marched to join the Palestine rally in the CBD. Socialist Alliance (SA) in nipaluna/Hobart helped organise the “Hope not Hate” counter rally. SA member Solomon Doyle said that it is a “strange and pervasive irony” that “a country built upon colonial invasion, forced migration, genocide, and the endless circulation of global capital, could now be the same country staging anti-immigration protests, draped in the language of protecting ‘white Australian identity’. “We will not blame migrants for the housing crisis. We will not blame refugees for poverty wages. We will not blame people of colour for the failures of governments and corporations,” Doyle said. “We know the true enemy, and it does not march in the streets with us, it sits in boardrooms, it governs from parliaments, it hides behind wealth.” The racist “March for Australia” protesters tried to confront the counter-protest. Despite police blocking their way, protesters on the far-right side pushed, spat at and yelled racial slurs towards the anti-racist activists who responded with “Say it loud, say it clear, migrants are welcome here!” and “Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land!”. The anti-racist rally in Muloobimba/Newcastle, organised by Food Not Bombs, involved 100 anti-racist protesters facing off against 400 March for Australia attendees, Steve O’Brien reported. Markela Panegyres reported from Kaurna Yerta/Adelaide that thousands attended the anti-immigration march. About 100–150 attended the anti-racist protest, many wearing keffiyehs and holding signs saying “Immigrants welcome here”. Anti-racist protesters in Magan-djin/Brisbane were also outnumbered by the racist side, but several participants told Green Left that, compared to the massive pro-Palestine rallies one week previously. “The numbers on the Nazi side don’t add up” and “we’re on the winning side”, they said. Tanuki said “they numbered in their thousands today, we had a few hundred legends” but “I’ll forever be proud that I showed up and I’m going to continue to show up”. While the national March for Australia protest showed the dangers posed by a more organised far right, the counter-protests and weekly huge pro-Palestine protests show significant numbers are not swayed by racists wanting to blame societal problems, caused by bad policies, on particular ethnic groups. — Republished with permission from GreenLeft *** – The world is changing fast. We help you keep up. We’ll send you 1 post, 3x per week. Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. A complete list of benefits is here. — Photo credit: unsplash The post Rallies Against Racism ‘Displayed Hope’ appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

West Jerusalem was taken by “surprise” by the admonition, the Washington Post has reported A public warning from the United Arab Emirates prompted the Israeli government to drop a planned discussion on annexing the West Bank, the Washington Post has reported. A senior UAE diplomat reportedly told Israeli media earlier this week that such a move would be a “red line” that would block Israel’s path to regional integration. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to discuss the issue at a major government meeting on Friday, according to local media. On Wednesday, UAE special envoy Lana Nusseibeh told the Times of Israel that annexation would “foreclose the idea of regional integration.” “For every Arab capital you talk to, the idea of regional integration is still a possibility, but annexation to satisfy some of the radical extremist elements in Israel is going to take that off the table,” she stated. The UAE was the first Arab nation to normalize relations with Israel in over a quarter century under the Abraham Accords brokered by President Donald Trump during his first term in office. The public warning from Abu Dhabi “came as a surprise,” an Israeli official told the Post, calling the situation “very unusual.” On Thursday, the issue of annexation was removed from the Israeli ministerial meeting agenda, according to the newspaper. Washington has not taken a stance on the issue so far. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described potential annexation as “not a final thing” earlier this week, adding that he was “not going to opine on that.” The West Bank returned to the spotlight earlier this year after a group of Israeli ministers urged that the territory be formally annexed. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claimed control could be asserted at any moment. Israel seized the West Bank from Jordan in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and has been actively building settlements there – which is widely regarded as illegal by the international community. It was close to annexation in 2020 but dropped the idea in exchange for normalizing relations with the UAE and Bahrain. View the full article

– By Adar Kaplan for Northwell Health A staggering 28 million adults in the United States have high cholesterol, meaning they have too many lipids (fats) in their blood.That number, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), doesn’t even share the entire story. Though high cholesterol is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes, the condition has no symptoms. Many people have no clue their cholesterol is too high. A simple blood test can measure cholesterol levels, and the CDC recommends that “most healthy adults” have cholesterol levels checked every four to six years. The test measures LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and triglycerides. (Those who have heart disease, diabetes, or have a family history of high cholesterol should have their cholesterol checked more often.) Lifestyle changes are the first line of defense against high cholesterol — for good reason: Adopting a healthy lifestyle can drop high cholesterol by as much as 10%. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends following a diet featuring whole grains and plenty of produce while reducing intake of meat and sugar. Nutritional meals, regular exercise, avoiding tobacco, and maintaining a healthy weight, will go a long way to protecting your heart and arteries. However, some patients will need additional help to manage their cholesterol levels, and their doctor may recommend further medical intervention, Northwell Health explains. Cholesterol-lowering treatments Methods for lowering high cholesterol have come a long way, says cardiologist Eugenia Gianos, MD, director of Women’s Heart Health at Lenox Hill Hospital and director of Cardiovascular Prevention for Northwell Health. “Even as early as five years ago, there was only so much we could do for certain patients, and they’d still end up in the emergency room,” Dr. Gianos says. “They’d need repeated stents and bypass surgery, or suffered from multiple heart attacks or strokes.” High levels of LDL cholesterol can lead to fatty deposits in the walls of arteries. That’s how heart disease can begin; as those deposits grow, they can impede blood flow and lead to blockages in arteries, resulting in heart attacks or strokes. Most cholesterol-lowering therapies are aimed at reducing LDL. “To prevent heart disease, we must get patients’ LDL as low as possible,” Dr. Gianos says, and adds, “Thankfully, now we’re in an era of prevention when we can offer far more advanced therapies.” Daily cholesterol medications These medications are the first medical option for patients trying to lower their cholesterol. The drugs are most effective when patients combine them with a healthy lifestyle. Statins: By slowing the liver’s production of cholesterol while also increasing the ability of the liver to clear cholesterol, statins can reduce LDL levels by as much as 55 percent in some patients. Statins may also play a role in reducing inflammation and can help prevent strokes and heart attacks. Ezetimibe: Another common cholesterol medication, ezetimibe interferes with the body’s ability to absorb cholesterol in the gut, and it can lower levels between 15-20%. Patients can take this drug alone or with a statin to gain additional cholesterol-lowering benefits. Using the two types of therapies together after a heart attack may reduce the likelihood of another cardiovascular event. Cholesterol-lowering injections A more recent development, injections can be for patients who didn’t get adequate results from daily medications or they may provide an option that’s easier for patients to adhere to since the shots only need to be given once every few weeks or months. PCSK9 inhibitors: Patients get this injection every two to four weeks. The inhibitors can reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death. This option can be more expensive and is limited to patients for whom statins and ezetimibe have been less effective. Inclisiran: Another new injectable sold under the name Leqvio, Inclisiran may work better for certain patients. It can lower cholesterol and may work well for patients who have trouble adhering to a medication schedule; the maintenance injections are given every six months. Blood filtering LDL apheresis: Some patients have dangerously high cholesterol levels, and medication or injectables aren’t enough to address the issue. A genetic condition known as familial hypercholesterolemia can trigger very high levels; other patients may need stronger measures due to a combination of high cholesterol and heart disease. For these patients, a procedure called LDL apheresis can help: The plasma portion of the patient’s blood is diverted through an apparatus that filters out LDL cholesterol and returns the plasma back to the body. Patients must get the three- to four-hour treatment every two weeks for the rest of their life, but LDL apheresis can be lifesaving. The reduction in cholesterol also lowers inflammation and reduces the risk of artery damage and other cardiac issues. More protection is on the way One other very important risk marker is lipoprotein(a), a unique type of cholesterol that is linked to early heart disease and aortic valve stenosis — a condition in which a valve in the heart can’t open fully. Identifying this risk factor is key in patients with early disease or when multiple family members suffer from heart disease, especially as new therapies are in development targeting this specific cholesterol and may significantly lower their heart disease risk. Finding the right therapy will require a discussion with a cardiologist, Dr. Gianos says. Sometimes cost, side effects and the ease of taking a medication may have an impact on a patient’s treatment. “For some patients, we may be able to connect them with something new in a clinical trial,” she says. “For others, we may need to take a larger perspective and conduct genetic tests and find out what role their family history may play in their treatment. It’s key for patients to understand how these factors, along with cholesterol levels, affect their cardiovascular health.” This story was produced by Northwell Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. — Previously Published on hub.stacker Subscribe to The Good Men Project Newsletter Email Address * Subscribe If you believe in the work we are doing here at The Good Men Project, please join us as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here. Photo credit: iStock The post New Ways to Lower Cholesterol appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

This might be the best 4 minutes of your life. Are you in a relationship and you don’t even know what’s going on anymore? You’re not alone. You lie next to them, but it feels like a stranger’s body. You talk — but nothing real gets said. You argue — but nothing ever gets solved. Maybe this is the sign you didn’t know you were waiting for. “This could be the push you need before you give up, cheat, ghost, or walk out without a word.” Let’s Start Here: What’s Breaking Your Relationship? It’s not always cheating. It’s not always lying. It’s not even always disrespect. Sometimes it’s the silence. The small things left unsaid or undone. The growing gap between “I love you” and “Are you even listening to me?” Take my friend Tyron. He and his girl were solid for years — until they weren’t. They stopped planning dates, stopped asking about each other’s dreams. It wasn’t a big fight that broke them; it was the quiet drift. No effort. No real talk. Just two people sharing a bed but living separate lives. What’s breaking relationships today is simple: Lack of Intentional Effort You stopped dating them after you got them. You used to ask how they’re feeling, now you just assume. You used to plan surprises, now you only react when there’s a problem. Love without intention turns into routine. And routine without care becomes distance. Pride You’d rather win the argument than fix the relationship. You know you hurt them, but you want them to apologize first. You don’t want to look weak — so you end up being cold. Pride kills more love than cheating ever could. Distractions You check your phone before you check in with your partner. You’re more emotionally connected to people online than the one sleeping next to you. The relationship is starving for attention, but you keep feeding it crumbs. Love cannot survive when presence is replaced with preoccupation. And Most Importantly — The Lie That Love Should Be Easy We were sold a fantasy: If it’s real, it’ll be effortless. If it’s true, it’ll never hurt. If it’s love, it’ll last on its own. But the truth? Love is work. Love is choosing each other — even on days when nothing feels romantic. It’s not supposed to be easy. It’s supposed to be worth it. So… What Is Love? Really. Love is a feeling — yes. But here’s what they don’t tell you: feelings are just hormones. Oxytocin. Dopamine. Serotonin. They come and go. They spike when things are good — and drop when life gets hard. So, when the “in love” feeling fades (and it will), what are you left with? Commitment. Intention. Respect. Trust. For me? Love is honesty when it’s hard. Love is trust when it’s inconvenient. Love is choosing someone every day, even when it would be easier not to. Love is preparing for dark days — together — so when they come, you don’t fall apart. Here’s Another Real Question: Are You All In — Or Just One Finger In? You say you’re committed, but your heart’s half-open. You want them to give their all, while you’re still testing the water. You want real love — but only if it doesn’t inconvenience your comfort or ego. That’s not love. That’s comfort with benefits. You can’t build a lasting relationship when you’re half-invested. How Do We Restore Love? Let’s get practical: Talk. Real conversations. Ask, “How are you really feeling?” not just “How was your day?” Touch without intention. Not just when you want something. Hug. Hold hands. Be present. Rebuild trust. If you broke it, own it. If they broke it, talk it out. Trust isn’t a weekend job. Forgive. Not because they deserve it, but because you can’t love while dragging the past into every tomorrow. Be honest. Especially when it hurts. If you can’t be real, you’re just playing pretend. Let’s Talk About It If you’ve made it this far, I’m asking you again: What broke your relationship? What does love really mean to you? Are you truly all in? Drop your answers below. Be real. And tell me: What’s one small thing you’ve done to keep love alive in your life? This could be the moment we start fixing love in a broken world. Life taught me to speak truth through words. Motivation | Mindset | Real life. New posts weekly, let’s grow together. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. — This post was previously published on medium.com. Love relationships? We promise to have a good one with your inbox. Subcribe to get 3x weekly dating and relationship advice. Did you know? We have 8 publications on Medium. Join us there! Hello, Love (relationships) Change Becomes You (Advice) A Parent is Born (Parenting) Equality Includes You (Social Justice) Greener Together (Environment) Shelter Me (Wellness) Modern Identities (Gender, etc.) Co-Existence (World) *** – Photo credit: William Recinos on Unsplash The post Love Is Dying. Marriages Are Ending. The World Is Lost. So, How Do We Restore Love? appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

Look at these horror themed Thrilljoy Pix! I have only recently started collecting Thrilljoy Pix!, but it has been a lot of fun so far. I bought my first one at San Diego Comic Con on a whim, and was lucky enough to pull the chase. There are all kinds of figures based off of characters that cover many popular fandoms. Recently a few horror themed Pix! were announced and here is my thoughts on them. (c) Thrilljoy The Nun Pix! There are some amazing looking Pix! in this set. The Nun is my favorite and that Super Chase really does fit the character perfectly. Crooked Man turned out great and the chase shows a sinister side of this deadly creature. You can learn more about these Pix! here. (c) Thrilljoy Crooked Man Pix! Most of these The Conjuring Universe items come out November 2025 and are available for pre-order now. You can follow Thrilljoy on Instagram. (c) Thrilljoy Bathsheba Pix! The post Take a Look at These Thrilljoy Pix! From the Conjuring Universe appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

Jens Spahn believes there needs to be European-level nuclear deterrence and that Berlin should take the lead on the issue Germany should have access to French and British nuclear weapons, senior lawmaker Jens Spahn has said. In return, Berlin could work with Paris and London to modernize their arsenals, he told the newspaper FAZ. Spahn, who leads the joint CDU/CSU parliamentary group, has emerged as a strong proponent of an EU-level nuclear weapons system. “We… need an ability to deter at the European level … together with the French and the British,” he said in an interview published on Saturday, arguing that US nuclear arms in Europe are no longer sufficient. The MP, a former federal health minister, said debate on the issue “will only happen if Germany pushes it forward.” He suggested that London and Paris could keep most control over their nuclear arsenals, while Berlin could take part in a modernization program. In July, Spahn also spoke about the need “to talk about German or European [access] to the nuclear arsenals of France and Great Britain” in light of what he called the “threat” coming from Russia. Nations without nuclear deterrence will “become pawns in global politics,” he argued. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has warned that Berlin could develop its own nuclear bomb within months if it chose to. Spahn’s remarks come as Berlin took a more hardline stance towards Russia under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Merz pledged an additional €5 billion ($5.6 billion) in military aid to Ukraine after taking office in May. Last month, he claimed that Germany was “already in a conflict” with Russia and accused President Vladimir Putin of “destabilizing large parts of our country.” Moscow has repeatedly dismissed allegations of hostile intent toward Western nations as “nonsense” and fearmongering and condemned what it calls the West’s “reckless militarization.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned recently that growing Russophobia and militarization in Germany signal a slide into a “Fourth Reich,” and accused Western governments of seeking dominance under the guise of democracy. View the full article

Morning arrives at Lakeside Manors. I step into my athletic shoes, put on my sunglasses, and fail, as I often do, to comb my hair. Then I’m out my front door for a vigorous walk before I start my day. On the streets surrounding my house, I see others. Some, like me, are out for their morning walks, jogs, or bike rides. Others are watering their flowerbeds or wheeling their trash to the curb. Some are pulling out of their driveways, heading for work. Every time I see someone, I wave. When I look at my neighborhood, I’m reminded of the song that was so much a part of my childhood: the Monkees’ Pleasant Valley Sunday. Like Pleasant Valley, Lakeside Manors is composed of houses that look pretty much alike. All of them were built within the last 10 years using the same blueprint, with only minor variations in the floorplans. Most of the homeowners are lawn-proud, devoting themselves to landscaping that is both aesthetically pleasing and carefully executed according to HOA standards. Recently, I experienced three major life changes. After being for a decade single, I got married. Then my husband and I bought a new house at Lakeside together, and I moved from the city to the suburbs. Shortly after my move, I retired. I figured that as I enter this later phase of my life, why not shake things up? While the Monkees’ song declares that all the conformity and sameness of a middle-class neighborhood is soul-numbing, I look around and say to myself, “Wow! I’ve finally made it!” After living in a variety of places over the years, most recently in a small city, I’m back in the kind of neighborhood in which I grew up, in the kind of house my parents owned. I feel like I’ve found my way back home. Lakeside is not a retirement community, but many retirees live here, along with young families and midlife folks. The residents are diverse, but we seem to be united by at least one common goal: to keep our neighborhood looking nice. I’m not naturally one who waves to people. A devout introvert, I view a morning walk as an opportunity to build fitness and maintain health — not as a time to socialize. When I lived in the city, I used to walk alone through an area with a relatively high crime rate. Waving to someone on the street could be inviting trouble. I kept my eyes on the road ahead and my waving arm at my side. Now my routine is different. When I see another walker, a bike rider, or a young parent lifting her toddler into a car seat, I feel the urge to smile and wave and call, “Good morning!” Perhaps loneliness drives my urge. Before retiring, I was a university administrator who interacted with many people throughout my workday. I mediated conflicts between students and professors or between parents and the university. I worked closely with faculty and other administrators to solve problems and serve students. After I retired, my days were suddenly quiet and solitary. Perhaps the shock of my new isolation led to my impulse to greet my neighbors. Now, something about waving just seems right. It says, “I see you there, fellow human, and I am glad you exist.” It says, “I acknowledge your right to share with me the sidewalk, the neighborhood, the grass and trees, our world.” Waving to neighbors is a noninvasive way to connect with people in our midst. It creates the possibility that a casual conversation might start — “Lovely weather, eh?” — or a friendship might form. More importantly, the smile and wave may say, “I’m here, neighbor, if you’re ever in need.” Waving to neighbors is a gentle art. It downplays our differences and raises our awareness of our common humanity. For an introvert like me, it’s a bold move forward toward building social bonds. But my introverted self is somewhat relieved by the fact that those bonds won’t necessarily form. They may, but they don’t have to. Sometimes, just a smile and wave are enough. Previously Published on Georgia Kreiger’s blog iStock image The post The Gentle Art of Waving to Neighbors appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article