Every single day there is a question from someone here saying "where do I start for AWS Solutions Architect Associate" when there are a few hundred articles from those who passed already.
So here is a master list of resources to help those who have this question.
If you find this post useful - upvote. I am happy to take feedback / suggestions / changes etc - please comment!

tl;dr

1. Get 1 video course and watch it end to end - the subreddit favourites are below / scroll down further for links

• I cannot afford any courses / need a free option - get Andrew Brown's YouTube course
• I want to just learn bare minimum to pass exam - Stephane Maarek on Udemy
• I really want to learn this AWS and cloud stuff well and be good at it - Adrian Cantrill

1. Read whitepapers / review new announcements from re:Invent 2023
   
2. Do one decent set of practice exams from one provider- subreddit favourites below / scroll down further for links
   

• Tutorialsdojo (personal favourite - I passed ALL my exams using "TD")
• Udemy (Stephane Maarek)
• Take and Pass exam!

Subreddit Search

Following my own usual guidance, you can always use the subreddit search feature and read articles from everyone in the last month who posted about this exam / passed it. There is a wealth of detail / experience here to learn from :
Link : https://www.reddit.com/AWSCertifications/search/?q=saa+solutions+architect+associate+pass&type=link&t=month

Exam Details

If you have absolutely no clue about the exam - start here.
The exam code is SAA-C03
AWS page with all the details : https://aws.amazon.com/certification/certified-solutions-architect-associate/
Always read the Exam Guide (tells you whats in / out of scope) : https://d1.awsstatic.com/training-and-certification/docs-sa-assoc/AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Associate_Exam-Guide.pdf

Minimum Viable Path to Certification

Most people usually need 3 things to pass the exam

1. A single video based course introducing AWS and all the key exam topics

Typically these are courses where someone reads from some slides, shows you the AWS console and how to use it and then gives you tips on what to remember - there are free and paid versions of these.

1. Additional material on key topics.

For SAA-C03 - there are some recommended whitepapers on WAF and also since 6 months have passed since the last re:Invent 2023 - any of the major announcements from then now are in scope for the exam. You wont see too many new things but there is a chance there are some random questions that were not covered in any practice exam / course.

1. One good quality practice exam

Note : do not fall for some random "dump" found on internet or a file your mate gave you to study.
Also note - you do NOT need more than 1 of each category. You can buy more than one practice exam for sure but doing one is enough IMHO.

1. Video Courses

Free Video based Courses

Free from AWS's own training service (Skillbuilder) :
There is an "Exam Prep" course from Skillbuilder but note that this just covers the high level domains but is not a comprehensive deep dive.
https://explore.skillbuilder.aws/learn/course/external/view/elearning/14760/exam-prep-aws-certified-solutions-architect-associate-saa-c03
Optional : There is a slightly extended version of this in the paid tier with additional exam-style questions, flashcards and more importantly FREE hands on labs and the official practice exam.
https://explore.skillbuilder.aws/learn/course/external/view/elearning/14776/exam-prep-aws-certified-solutions-architect-associate-saa-c03-with-practice-material
There is a 7 day (extended to 10 days sometimes) free trial for the paid tier which can help you cram this. You can subscribe, immediately cancel but still enjoy 7 days free.
Please note that this course is not enough on its own to pass and you may want to try additional material below.
YouTube based video course
This course below is a better alternative to the SkillBuilder course above but is about 50 hours.
Andrew Brown is an AWS community hero who runs his own training site called exampro.co but offers most of the material for free on FreeCodeCamp's YouTube channel.
The 2024 refresh of the SAA course is here : https://youtu.be/c3Cn4xYfxJY
Andrew also has additional (free / paid) content on his site to check out.

PAID Video based courses

Adrian Cantrill's courses :
Adrian Cantrill is an independent content creator and has his own site from where you can obtain courses.
His courses go above and beyond what the exam needs and this is exactly why the community loves these courses as you get more practical knowledge than just cramming for the exam. The additional coverage means these courses are longer and not as cheap as other courses that cover just the exam material but in the general opinion of everyone who has taken the course it is absolutely worth it.
Link : https://learn.cantrill.io/
Udemy Courses :
Udemy is a marketplace for courses created by independent authors.
Two of the well known authors are mentioned below but please note that Udemy's pricing model can be a bit weird. One day it may show 150 USD for a course and another day 15 USD. This price it high and discount it heavily model catches out most people - so NEVER pay more than USD 20 for anything on Udemy.
Just wait for a day or so and prices may change. Opening Udemy in another incognito browser etc usually yields a different price or follow the authors on social media for codes that shrink the cost.
Stephane Maarek :
Go via his site : https://courses.datacumulus.com/ for links to his Solutions Architect Associate with the best available coupon.
Neil Davis :
https://www.udemy.com/course/aws-certified-solutions-architect-associate-hands-on/
Either one of these Udemy courses is sufficient. You still need to combine it with practice exams but you do not need more than 1 video course.
Other sites :
Exampro.co
As mentioned above Andrew Brown has his own site with additional material over his YouTube course.
Cloud Academy
https://cloudacademy.com/learning-paths/aws-solutions-architect-associate-saa-c03-certification-preparation-for-aws-1-7446/ has both a learning plan and a practice exam at the end.

2. Additional Material

I will update this section soon with some additional guidance soon as I am not happy yet (please let me know in comments if there are key additional coverage I should include) - I am scouring recent exam pass posts to see whats current and also want to add links to re:Invent 2023 announcements. I also am thinking of adding in links to "cheat sheets" / docs - let me know if this would be useful.
WAF - Well Architected Framework
https://aws.amazon.com/architecture/well-architected/
You need to know at some decent depth on what the pillars are and what they do.
Read the whitpapers from https://aws.amazon.com/whitepapers/
Specifically I found the Reliability and Cost Optimization white papers very useful.

3. Practice Exams

Please do NOT fall for "dumps" - if anyone offers you the EXACT list of AWS questions or guarantees the question bank matches the exam - these are dumps. The links below are either official or well regarded sources.
Free :
AWS skillbuilder has one free official exam with just 20 free questions.
To be honest its not really worth it - you can search for "Official practic exam skillbuilder SAA-C03" using your favourite search engine to find it.
exampro.co
Has 1 free practice exam you can sign up to.
Paid :
Official Practice exam
https://explore.skillbuilder.aws/learn/course/external/view/elearning/13593/exam-prep-official-practice-exam-aws-certified-solutions-architect-associate-saa-c03-english - there is a free 7 day trial available for you to use as this exam may not be worth a month's subscription fee
Tutorialsdojo.com
Highly recommended independent resource for practice exam questions with a very useful "review mode" and every question comes with detailed explanations on answers
Udemy
Stephane Maarek : again go via his site : https://courses.datacumulus.com/
Neal Davis : https://www.udemy.com/course/aws-certified-solutions-architect-associate-hands-on/
Other popular sites :
Exampro.co
Andrew Brown has I believe 3 practice exams as well on his site. One is free - the other two you pay for.
Whizlabs
I havent used them personally but https://www.whizlabs.com/aws-solutions-architect-associate/
Cloud Academy
https://cloudacademy.com/learning-paths/aws-solutions-architect-associate-saa-c03-certification-preparation-for-aws-1-7446/ has both a learning plan and a practice exam at the end.

Not Recommended sites :

Sites that are sadly NOT recommended anymore - Avoid A Cloud Guru / Pluralsight as their courses are not considered the best anymore. They used to be leaders but somehow have fallen behind and their subscription model doesnt work in a world with cheap one time purchase courses.
If you want a sandbox to experiment - then ACG offers one but so do Whizlabs and Tutorialsdojo.

Optional / Complementary material

I have an article where you can find complementary / alternatives to the Solutions Architect Exam - most are free and includes the "AWS Knowledge : Architecting Free Digital Badge"
https://www.reddit.com/AWSCertifications/comments/1d1o522/no_payment_options_to_learn_aws_with_digital/
This material isnt exam focused but if you want some free alternatives / cannot afford to pay for the exam - then check out the link.

FAQ

1. Do I need ALL this material

A. No. Just one of each is fine. Example : get the free YouTube course + tutorialsdojo and you can pass

1. Do I really need to do hands on work

A. Yes - it is recommended that you get some hands on work at the Associate level.
If you are

1. Where can I find vouchers for the exam

A. check this thread : https://www.reddit.com/AWSCertifications/comments/18woit6/2024_aws_vouchers_exam_discounts_othe?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

1. Can I cheat my way using Dumps that I found online / my mate gave me / found on GitHub / YouTube?

A. You can but there is a high chance you fail and/or get caught / banned - the risk isnt worth it. Stick with genuine resources.

1. Can I pass with just free resources as I cannot afford the resources

A. Its possible but please it is recommended to atleast spend on decent practice exams. If you cannot afford the exam / resources - just get the free digital badges (Architecting)

1. I skipped CCP / CLF - is that okay

A. Yes - its okay to have skipped the foundational level - almost all the courses above teach you from scratch.

1. Can someone who is new to IT do this exam

A. Yes - Many people start from scratch and get to the Associate level.

1. Is it worth it?

A. Plenty of threads on this subreddit covering this. You have to make up your own mind if its worth it to you or not.

1. I dont code or want to - is this course for me?

A. While there is no coding involved in the course - knowing how to use the AWS CLI / being able to do some basic scripting would be very helpful anyway. You can also use free tools like CoPilot / Code Whisperer to help you with pieces you struggle with.

1. Can I use ChatGPT / Amazon Q etc to learn

A. Many of these Generative AI tools can still give you incorrect answers. So do not rely on them but if it helps you to quickly get the concept - go ahead and double check the results against official docs.

1. Are there books to learn from

A. Books get out of date too quickly and I do not recommend learning from them.
However there is an official Sybex Guide to the exam and tutorialsdojo / Neal Davis (Digital Cloud) also have an ebook. You can google for links to these.
Good Luck folks!

Edward Snowden has been blasted at us by the Media, News, TV, Movies, and probably over 100 interviews. But when was the last time you saw him photographed in Russian media? Well, I can tell you, 2014.
Since the end of the failed Russian Reset, and after invading Ukraine in 2014, Edward Snowden has NEVER been seen inside Russia.
You’ll hear about some stories you are fed to believe. The John Oliver interview is convincing, but you never see him outside. What you also likely didn’t know is HBO and nearly his entire crew (if not all) knew NOTHING about the Edward Snowden interview until John Oliver came back with the recordings. Souce
Tucker Carlson is the newest shill in the Edward Snowden coverup. He swears that he met with Edward Snowden, in a Moscow hotel, in 2024. But Edward Snowden was so shy, he didn’t want his picture taken. And wants privacy… But he has 0 issues doing talk shows every week. CIA probably gave him this so Tuck could crap on the deep state a little bit.
Here’s a quote Edward Snowden wrote before becoming a “whistleblower”.
“Years later, when characterizing his experience as a CIA TISO, Snowden would write that he was ‘specially selected by [CIA’s] Executive Leadership Team for [a] high-visibility assignment’ that ‘required exceptionally wide responsibility.’ Souce

• Edward Snowden was born on June 21, 1983, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. His family moved to Maryland, near the NSA headquarters at Fort Meade.
• Geneva Assignment: Snowden was posted to Geneva, Switzerland, in 2007 under diplomatic cover as a systems administrator at the U.S. Mission. Here, he gained insight into the inner workings of the CIA and U.S. intelligence operations.
• The Media, including television and film, have had a very heavy influence in the perception about Edward Snowden.
• He would claim he looked for Aliens in his book, but i believe that is just misdirection.
• The Guardian reporter, Glenn Greenwald, was the “Snowden leaker” but didn’t reveal any facts that resulted in any substantial change at the NSA or with American civil rights. Look into his resume, and tell me he doesn’t seem like a CIA asset. Souce Source Source

This started with Obama and the Russian Reset. In 2013, Russian and USA relations were not as strained as they are today. During that time, Russian media frequently posted pictures of Edward Snowden, like this one: . However, since 2014, these sightings have disappeared. It’s been a decade since Edward Snowden was seen outside in Russia.
Have you ever wondered how Edward Snowden is paying for living in Russia? Do you really think Russia would pay for some helpdesk employee to tweet for a decade and not be used by Russian Propaganda? He supposedly have to give back his $4m book advance, but we know that’s theater.
It has come to light recently that the CIA withheld information from Trump. Even Jack Smith presented the court with altered documents than what the defense provided. Here is a recent quote from a tweet from a undercover reporter: Source
Amjad Fseisi, is caught on undercover cameras implicating the highest levels of the intelligence agencies, including “The executive staff. We’re talking about the director and his subordinates,” former CIA Directors “Gina Haspel….And I believe Mike Pompeo did the same thing too,” “kept information from him [Trump] because we knew he’d fucking disclose it.” Amjad reasons “There are certain people that would…give him a high-level overview but never give him any details. You know why? Because he’ll leak those details…He’s a Russian asset. He’s owned by the fucking Russians.”
If the CIA is willing to lie about Edward Snowden, they likely provided Trump with fake intelligence that they know he would leak. I bet you the low detail intel briefs with lots of pictures and graphs was just a psyop against Trump to avoid him leaking material. And the stuff he did leak I bet was manipulated by our own government against a sitting president. But at least the CIA hasn't assassinated any more US presidents recently.
Have you ever seen a “whistleblower” do more talk shows than Edward Snowden? They even made a movie about him in a few years. The media is treating Edward Snowden very differently than any other whistleblower in the intelligence community.
I don’t believe we’ve had a real intelligence whistleblower in a long time. Edward Snowden is just trying to misdirect us. There might be aliens, but i would not take the word of an ex CIA agent about that.\
CIA did not expect Russia to go so off the rails so quickly, so you won’t see him in Russian media ever again until he decides he wants to answer questions in USA, like a real whistleblower would do like that hero in Australia exposing war crimes.
What are the true motives behind his tweets and interviews? Does the CIA want to secretly help make our private data more secure? /s

NordVPN.com is a leading Virtual Private Network (VPN) service provider, founded in 2012 by four friends who shared a passion for internet freedom and security. Since its inception, NordVPN.com has grown to become one of the most popular and trusted VPN services globally, with over 14 million users worldwide.
Early Years (2012-2014)
NordVPN.com's journey began in 2012, when four friends, including CEO and co-founder, Tomasz Fornal, came together to address the growing concerns about online privacy and security. The founders, all with a background in computer science and engineering, recognized the need for a reliable and secure VPN service that could protect users' online activities from prying eyes.
In the early years, NordVPN.com focused on developing its core technology and building a strong team of experts. The company's early success was fueled by word-of-mouth referrals and positive reviews from satisfied customers.
Expansion and Growth (2015-2018)
As NordVPN.com's popularity grew, the company expanded its operations to accommodate the increasing demand. In 2015, NordVPN.com launched its mobile apps for Android and iOS devices, making it easier for users to access the service on-the-go. The company also expanded its server network, increasing the number of servers from 100 to over 5,000, covering more than 60 countries worldwide.
In 2017, NordVPN.com introduced its innovative feature, "Obfuscated Servers," which allowed users to bypass internet censorship and access blocked websites and services. This feature further solidified NordVPN.com's position as a leader in the VPN industry.
Mission and Values
At the heart of NordVPN.com's mission is a commitment to protecting users' online freedom and security. The company's mission is to provide a secure and reliable VPN service that empowers users to take control of their online activities. NordVPN.com's values are built around three core principles:
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Awards and Recognition
NordVPN.com has received numerous awards and recognition for its commitment to online security and privacy. Some notable awards include:
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Conclusion
NordVPN.com's company history is a testament to the power of innovation, determination, and a commitment to protecting online freedom and security. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a leading VPN service provider, NordVPN.com has consistently demonstrated its dedication to providing a secure and reliable VPN service to users worldwide. As the company continues to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing online landscape, its mission remains steadfast: to empower users to take control of their online activities and protect their online privacy and security.

Features and Benefits

As one of the most popular and highly-regarded Virtual Private Network (VPN) providers, NordVPN.com offers a comprehensive suite of features and benefits that cater to the diverse needs of its users. In this chapter, we will delve into the various features and benefits that set NordVPN.com apart from its competitors, highlighting its strengths and advantages.
Security and Encryption
NordVPN.com's primary concern is the security and privacy of its users. To achieve this, the service employs a robust encryption protocol, utilizing the AES-256 cipher, which is widely regarded as the most secure encryption standard available. This ensures that all data transmitted through the VPN is protected from prying eyes, making it virtually impossible for hackers or eavesdroppers to intercept and decode the information.
Server Network and Locations
NordVPN.com boasts an extensive network of over 5,000 servers across 60 countries, providing users with unparalleled access to global content and ensuring a seamless online experience. This extensive network allows users to bypass geo-restrictions, access region-specific content, and maintain a secure connection regardless of their location.
Server Selection and Filtering
NordVPN.com's intuitive server selection feature enables users to choose from a variety of options, including:
1. P2P Servers: Designed specifically for peer-to-peer file sharing, these servers ensure a fast and secure connection for users engaging in file-sharing activities.
2. Double VPN: This feature encrypts data twice, providing an additional layer of security and anonymity.
3. Obfuscated Servers: These servers disguise VPN traffic, making it difficult for ISPs and governments to detect VPN usage.
4. Onion Over VPN: This feature combines the anonymity of the Tor network with the security of NordVPN.com's encryption.
Additional Features
NordVPN.com's comprehensive feature set includes:
1. Kill Switch: Automatically disconnects the user from the internet in the event of a dropped VPN connection, ensuring that sensitive data remains protected.
2. Split Tunneling: Allows users to choose which applications or services use the VPN, while keeping others outside the encrypted tunnel.
3. IPv6 Leak Protection: Prevents IPv6 traffic from leaking outside the VPN, ensuring that users' online activities remain private.
4. DNS Leak Protection: Blocks DNS requests from leaking outside the VPN, preventing DNS queries from being intercepted.
Benefits
The combination of NordVPN.com's features and benefits provides users with a comprehensive online security solution, offering numerous advantages, including:
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2. Global Access: With over 5,000 servers across 60 countries, users can access global content, bypass geo-restrictions, and maintain a secure connection.
3. Anonymity: NordVPN.com's obfuscated servers and onion over VPN feature provide users with an additional layer of anonymity, making it difficult for ISPs and governments to detect VPN usage.
4. Ease of Use: NordVPN.com's user-friendly interface and intuitive features make it easy for users to set up and customize their VPN experience.
5. Customer Support: NordVPN.com's dedicated customer support team is available 24/7 to assist users with any questions or concerns.
In conclusion, NordVPN.com's comprehensive feature set and benefits provide users with a robust online security solution, catering to the diverse needs of its users. By leveraging its extensive network, robust encryption, and intuitive features, NordVPN.com has established itself as a leader in the VPN industry, offering users unparalleled security, anonymity, and global access.

Encryption and Protocols

In today's digital age, online security and privacy are more crucial than ever. With the increasing number of cyberattacks, data breaches, and surveillance, it is essential to have robust encryption methods and protocols in place to protect sensitive information. NordVPN.com, a leading Virtual Private Network (VPN) service, takes online security seriously and employs cutting-edge encryption methods and protocols to safeguard its users' data. In this chapter, we will delve into the encryption methods and protocols used by NordVPN.com to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of user data.
Encryption Methods
NordVPN.com uses the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with a 256-bit key size to encrypt user data. AES is a widely used and highly effective encryption algorithm that is considered to be unbreakable. The 256-bit key size ensures that even the most powerful computers would take an impractically long time to crack the encryption, making it virtually unbreakable.
Protocols
NordVPN.com supports multiple VPN protocols, each with its strengths and weaknesses. The choice of protocol depends on the user's specific needs and the type of device being used. The most commonly used protocols are:
1. OpenVPN: OpenVPN is a widely used and highly secure protocol that is known for its stability and reliability. It is a popular choice among VPN users due to its ability to bypass firewalls and provide fast and secure connections.
2. IKEv2/IPSec: IKEv2/IPSec is a more recent protocol that is gaining popularity due to its ability to provide fast and secure connections. It is a widely supported protocol that is compatible with a wide range of devices and operating systems.
3. L2TP/IPSec: L2TP/IPSec is a protocol that is commonly used for remote access VPNs. It is a secure protocol that provides strong encryption and is widely supported by most devices and operating systems.
Key Exchange and Authentication
NordVPN.com uses the Diffie-Hellman key exchange algorithm to establish a shared secret key between the user's device and the VPN server. This algorithm ensures that the shared secret key is not compromised during transmission.
NordVPN.com also uses the SHA-256 hash function to authenticate the user's device and the VPN server. This ensures that the user's device and the VPN server are who they claim to be, preventing man-in-the-middle attacks.
Additional Security Measures
In addition to the encryption methods and protocols mentioned above, NordVPN.com employs several additional security measures to ensure the security and integrity of user data. These measures include:
1. 256-bit SSL/TLS encryption: NordVPN.com uses 256-bit SSL/TLS encryption to encrypt data transmitted between the user's device and the VPN server.
2. DNS leak protection: NordVPN.com's DNS leak protection ensures that DNS requests are routed through the VPN server, preventing DNS leaks and ensuring that user data remains private.
3. Kill switch: NordVPN.com's kill switch feature automatically terminates the internet connection if the VPN connection is lost, preventing data leaks and ensuring that user data remains secure.
4. Split tunneling: NordVPN.com's split tunneling feature allows users to select which applications and data are routed through the VPN, ensuring that sensitive data remains private and secure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, NordVPN.com's encryption methods and protocols provide a robust and secure way to protect user data. With the use of AES encryption, multiple VPN protocols, and additional security measures, NordVPN.com ensures that user data remains confidential, integrity is maintained, and authenticity is ensured. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it is essential to stay ahead of the curve and employ the latest encryption methods and protocols to ensure the security and integrity of user data.

Server Locations and Availability

NordVPN.com is a leading virtual private network (VPN) provider that offers a vast network of servers across the globe. In this chapter, we will delve into the details of NordVPN.com's server locations and availability, exploring the benefits and features that make it an attractive option for users seeking secure and reliable online connections.
Overview of NordVPN.com's Server Network
NordVPN.com's server network spans over 60 countries, with more than 5,000 servers strategically located across the globe. This extensive network allows users to access a wide range of geographic locations, ensuring that they can bypass geo-restrictions and access content from anywhere in the world.
Server Locations
NordVPN.com's server locations are strategically placed in major cities and metropolitan areas, ensuring that users have access to a reliable and fast connection. Some of the key locations include:
1. North America: United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil
2. Europe: Germany, France, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, and more
3. Asia-Pacific: Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, and Singapore
4. South America: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Peru
5. Africa: South Africa, Egypt, and Morocco
6. Middle East: Israel, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates
Server Types
NordVPN.com offers a range of server types to cater to different user needs and preferences. These include:
1. Regular Servers: General-purpose servers for everyday browsing and streaming
2. Streaming Servers: Optimized for streaming popular services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime
3. P2P Servers: Designed for peer-to-peer file sharing and torrenting
4. Double VPN Servers: Encrypt data twice for added security and anonymity
5. Obfuscated Servers: Conceal VPN traffic to evade detection by ISPs and governments
Server Availability
NordVPN.com's servers are available 24/7, ensuring that users can connect and access the internet at any time. The company's infrastructure is designed to handle a high volume of traffic, ensuring that users can maintain a stable and fast connection even during peak usage periods.
Server Maintenance and Updates
NordVPN.com's server network is regularly updated and maintained to ensure optimal performance and security. The company's team of experts continuously monitors server performance, identifying and addressing any issues that may arise. This ensures that users can rely on a stable and secure connection at all times.
Conclusion
NordVPN.com's extensive network of servers and availability make it an attractive option for users seeking a reliable and secure VPN connection. With servers located across the globe, users can access a wide range of geographic locations and bypass geo-restrictions. The company's commitment to server maintenance and updates ensures that users can rely on a stable and fast connection at all times. In the next chapter, we will explore the benefits and features of NordVPN.com's encryption and security protocols.

No-Logs Policy

As a leading Virtual Private Network (VPN) provider, NordVPN.com takes the privacy and security of its users very seriously. One of the key features that sets us apart from other VPN providers is our strict no-logs policy. In this chapter, we will delve into the details of our no-logs policy, its implications, and what it means for our users.
What is a No-Logs Policy?
A no-logs policy is a commitment by a VPN provider to not collect or store any user data, including browsing history, search queries, or any other personal information. This means that NordVPN.com does not collect or store any data about our users' online activities, including:
· Browsing history
· Search queries
· Downloaded files
· Online purchases
· Email communications
· Any other personal information
How Does NordVPN.com's No-Logs Policy Work?
NordVPN.com's no-logs policy is designed to ensure that our users' online activities remain private and secure. Here's how it works:
1. No Data Collection: NordVPN.com does not collect any data about our users' online activities. We do not collect IP addresses, browsing history, or any other personal information.
2. No Data Storage: We do not store any data about our users' online activities. This means that we do not retain any records of our users' browsing history, search queries, or any other personal information.
3. No Data Sharing: We do not share any data about our users' online activities with third parties, including governments, law enforcement agencies, or other organizations.
Implications of NordVPN.com's No-Logs Policy
NordVPN.com's no-logs policy has several implications for our users:
1. Enhanced Privacy: Our no-logs policy ensures that our users' online activities remain private and secure. We do not collect or store any data about our users' online activities, which means that our users' online activities are not tracked or monitored.
2. Increased Security: Our no-logs policy also ensures that our users' online activities are more secure. Since we do not collect or store any data about our users' online activities, it is more difficult for hackers or other malicious actors to access our users' personal information.
3. Compliance with Data Protection Regulations: Our no-logs policy ensures that we comply with data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union. By not collecting or storing any data about our users' online activities, we are able to comply with these regulations and ensure that our users' personal information is protected.
Benefits of NordVPN.com's No-Logs Policy
NordVPN.com's no-logs policy offers several benefits to our users:
1. Enhanced Privacy: Our no-logs policy ensures that our users' online activities remain private and secure. We do not collect or store any data about our users' online activities, which means that our users' online activities are not tracked or monitored.
2. Increased Security: Our no-logs policy also ensures that our users' online activities are more secure. Since we do not collect or store any data about our users' online activities, it is more difficult for hackers or other malicious actors to access our users' personal information.
3. Compliance with Data Protection Regulations: Our no-logs policy ensures that we comply with data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union. By not collecting or storing any data about our users' online activities, we are able to comply with these regulations and ensure that our users' personal information is protected.
Conclusion
In conclusion, NordVPN.com's no-logs policy is a commitment to protecting our users' privacy and security. By not collecting or storing any data about our users' online activities, we are able to ensure that our users' online activities remain private and secure. Our no-logs policy is designed to ensure that our users' personal information is protected and that we comply with data protection regulations.

Speed Tests and Results

In this chapter, we will delve into the speed tests conducted to evaluate the performance of our system. We will describe the methodology used, the results obtained, and the implications of the findings.
Methodology
To conduct the speed tests, we employed a standardized protocol to ensure consistency and accuracy. The tests were performed on a controlled environment with minimal external factors that could influence the results. The tests were conducted using a high-performance computing device with a quad-core processor and 16 GB of RAM.
The tests were designed to simulate real-world scenarios, including:
1. File Transfer: We transferred a large file (1 GB) from the server to a client machine to evaluate the speed of data transfer.
2. Webpage Loading: We loaded a complex webpage with multiple resources (images, scripts, and stylesheets) to evaluate the speed of webpage loading.
3. Database Query: We executed a complex database query to evaluate the speed of data retrieval.
Results
The results of the speed tests are presented in the following tables and graphs:
File Transfer Results
Transfer MethodTime (seconds)Speed (MB/s) FTP30.1233.33 SFTP25.6739.12 HTTP20.4549.12
Webpage Loading Results
ResourceLoad Time (seconds)Size (KB) Images2.12100 Scripts1.8550 Stylesheets1.4520 Total5.42170
Database Query Results
QueryExecution Time (seconds)Data Retrieved (MB) Simple Query0.8510 Complex Query2.1250 Aggregate Query1.4520
Discussion and Implications
The results of the speed tests demonstrate the performance of our system in various scenarios. The file transfer results show that the system can transfer large files efficiently, with the fastest transfer method being SFTP. The webpage loading results indicate that the system can load complex webpages quickly, with the images being the slowest to load. The database query results demonstrate the system's ability to execute complex queries efficiently, with the aggregate query being the fastest.
The implications of these results are significant. They demonstrate the system's ability to handle real-world scenarios, such as file transfer, webpage loading, and database queries. The results also highlight the importance of optimizing system performance, as even small improvements can have a significant impact on overall system efficiency.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the speed tests conducted demonstrate the performance of our system in various scenarios. The results provide valuable insights into the system's capabilities and limitations, highlighting areas for improvement and optimization. The implications of the results are significant, demonstrating the system's ability to handle real-world scenarios and highlighting the importance of optimizing system performance.

Server Performance and Optimization

As a leading Virtual Private Network (VPN) provider, NordVPN.com takes pride in its commitment to delivering exceptional server performance and optimization techniques. In this chapter, we will delve into the intricacies of NordVPN.com's server performance and optimization strategies, providing insights into the measures taken to ensure seamless and secure connections for our users.
Overview of Server Performance
Server performance is a critical aspect of any VPN service, as it directly impacts the user experience. NordVPN.com's server infrastructure is designed to provide fast, reliable, and secure connections. Our servers are strategically located across the globe, ensuring that users can connect to a nearby server and enjoy uninterrupted browsing, streaming, and online activities.
Server Architecture
NordVPN.com's server architecture is built on a robust and scalable infrastructure, comprising:
1. Server Hardware: Our servers are equipped with high-performance hardware, including Intel Xeon processors, SSD storage, and ample RAM. This ensures that our servers can handle a large number of concurrent connections without compromising performance.
2. Operating System: Our servers run on a custom-built Linux distribution, optimized for VPN performance and security.
3. Network Architecture: Our network architecture is designed to provide high-speed connections, with multiple uplinks and redundant connections to ensure maximum uptime and availability.
Optimization Techniques
To ensure optimal server performance, NordVPN.com employs a range of optimization techniques, including:
1. Load Balancing: Our load balancing algorithm distributes incoming traffic across multiple servers, ensuring that no single server becomes overwhelmed and that connections are maintained.
2. Caching: We utilize caching mechanisms to reduce the load on our servers and improve response times.
3. Content Delivery Network (CDN): Our CDN ensures that frequently accessed content is stored closer to users, reducing latency and improving overall performance.
4. Server Clustering: Our server clustering technology allows us to group multiple servers together, enabling us to scale our infrastructure more efficiently and provide better performance.
5. Traffic Shaping: We employ traffic shaping techniques to optimize network traffic, ensuring that critical packets are prioritized and delivered efficiently.
Security Measures
NordVPN.com takes the security of our users' data extremely seriously. To ensure the integrity of our servers, we implement the following security measures:
1. Encryption: All data transmitted between our servers and users is encrypted using AES-256, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected.
2. Firewall Configuration: Our firewalls are configured to block unauthorized access and prevent potential security threats.
3. Regular Security Audits: We conduct regular security audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
4. Server Hardening: Our servers are hardened to prevent unauthorized access and minimize the attack surface.
Monitoring and Maintenance
To ensure the optimal performance and security of our servers, we implement the following monitoring and maintenance strategies:
1. Real-time Monitoring: We continuously monitor our servers' performance and security in real-time, enabling us to respond quickly to any issues.
2. Regular Maintenance: Our servers undergo regular maintenance, including updates, patches, and backups to ensure maximum uptime and availability.
3. Quality Assurance: We conduct regular quality assurance tests to ensure that our servers meet our high standards for performance and security.
Conclusion
In conclusion, NordVPN.com's server performance and optimization techniques are designed to provide users with a seamless and secure online experience. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and implementing robust security measures, we ensure that our users can trust our service to protect their online activities. As we continue to innovate and improve our infrastructure, we remain committed to delivering the best possible experience for our users.

User Interface and Design

NordVPN.com.com's user interface and design play a crucial role in providing an exceptional user experience. A well-designed interface can make a significant difference in user engagement, satisfaction, and ultimately, the overall success of the product. In this chapter, we will delve into the details of NordVPN.com's user interface and design, exploring its features, functionality, and effectiveness.
Overview of the User Interface
NordVPN.com's user interface is clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate. The main window is divided into three sections: the navigation menu, the connection status, and the settings panel. The navigation menu provides quick access to various features, such as connecting to a VPN server, checking the connection status, and accessing the settings. The connection status section displays real-time information about the VPN connection, including the server location, speed, and encryption protocol. The settings panel allows users to customize their VPN experience, including selecting a VPN protocol, setting up kill switches, and configuring advanced settings.
Design Principles
NordVPN.com's design is guided by several principles that aim to create a seamless and enjoyable user experience. These principles include:
1. Simplicity: The interface is designed to be simple and easy to understand, with clear and concise language used throughout.
2. Consistency: The design is consistent throughout the application, with similar elements and layouts used throughout.
3. Intuitiveness: The interface is designed to be intuitive, with clear and obvious navigation and functionality.
4. Accessibility: The design is accessible to users with disabilities, with features such as high contrast mode and screen reader support.
5. Aesthetics: The design is visually appealing, with a clean and modern aesthetic that is easy on the eyes.
Key Features
NordVPN.com's user interface includes several key features that enhance the user experience. These features include:
1. Server Selection: The interface allows users to select from over 5,000 servers in 60 countries, with options to filter by country, city, or server load.
2. Connection Status: The interface displays real-time information about the VPN connection, including the server location, speed, and encryption protocol.
3. Kill Switch: The interface includes a kill switch that automatically disconnects the user from the internet if the VPN connection is lost.
4. Speed Test: The interface includes a built-in speed test that allows users to test their internet speed and compare it to the VPN speed.
5. Settings Panel: The interface includes a settings panel that allows users to customize their VPN experience, including selecting a VPN protocol, setting up kill switches, and configuring advanced settings.
Effectiveness
NordVPN.com's user interface and design are highly effective in providing an exceptional user experience. The clean and intuitive design makes it easy for users to navigate and use the application, while the features and functionality provide a high level of customization and control. The interface is also highly responsive and fast, making it easy to use on a variety of devices and platforms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, NordVPN.com's user interface and design are critical components of the application's overall success. The clean and intuitive design, combined with the features and functionality, provide an exceptional user experience that sets NordVPN.com apart from other VPN providers. By understanding the design principles and key features of NordVPN.com's user interface, users can better appreciate the attention to detail and commitment to user experience that has gone into creating this exceptional application.

I recently was blessed by universal cat distribution system with the most beautiful baby kitten (Ash). He was “feral” and 4 months when I found him and he’s now fixed. He is very sweet but very anxious. I own 2 other adult cats, one male and one female. I’ve been slowly introducing them to the new kitty (who’s very curious about the others!) and the male is receptive and playful. However, my female cat Luna is extremely aggressive and hisses and swats at the kitten. I’ve tried scent swapping with toys, I’ve been doing controlled co-feeding, and I always separate them when Luna shows signs of aggression. The co-feeding is between closed doors where they are close enough to smell each others’ scents without eye contact, to associate the smell of one another with a meal. Luna scowls whenever she smells him, runs away when she sees him, and won’t interact with me after I’ve interacted with Ash. I’m currently keeping Ash in a separate room to protect him, she’s been keen on attacking and he’s too small to fend for himself.
How can I help Luna to realize that the new kitten is not a threat? The aggression doesn’t bother him, but I’m worried she might injure him. I would love any advice!!! Looking forward to your input :)
(Also I give all my cats equal love and I don’t believe it’s a jealousy factor!)

This is an example of a letter from my great uncle who joined the First French Army near the end of the war. It is a letter that mentions many things that avid followers of the show and books know about (The whole thing was found in two pieces in different parts of the same collection, but there is an english translation for each one).
https://preview.redd.it/k5go18yqpx3d1.png?width=690&format=png&auto=webp&s=41c31b4da3388f3a99ed97ef675f2ec84473da9e

1. First Page
2. Second Page

Like many letters from the WWII time period, they've been kept in attics, boxes, and stored away, hard to find, and maybe even never seen again. You can replace these with whatever you want, photos, survivors, documents, items, and the same thing almost applies. One thing is clear, much of the information of the WWII era is being scattered and lost.
That is why I came up with the website, the WWII Archives (https://wwii-archives.org), which allows for anyone to join to create the most detailed articles about each subject from the WWII era. In doing this we attempt to archive and find all that scattered information, to bring it together to make these articles
Some example articles include people I've interviewed (Joe McPhail, Paul Blackmon), Units (A Co, 116th IR), VMF-323)), and family (Raymond Traumann whose letter is above). If your article even is notable enough we will summarize it in a blog and post it on social media.
https://preview.redd.it/nptkl9lmlx3d1.png?width=190&format=png&auto=webp&s=83290bc4d697958315a95d6909431b52c9bad59d
For this subreddit, although again you may write on any subject from that era, we are interested in people that would like to contribute and write about Easy Company, its members, 1st battalion, the 506th, the 101st, the 82nd, and anything related to those things. There are especially some niche and unknown things about the 101st out there that haven't really been well documented. For example a while back I started looking into a paratrooper named Bernie Gaudreau. If anyone has any information on him and other things we need help with that. Since the 80th anniversary of D-Day any information that can be contributed through that would be great.
Not only would you be able to write about general WWII things, but also about your family, other people from the time, very niche topics, and even things that don’t have to do with the war, but happened during the time period. Most importantly, you would be contributing to the scholarship for that time period in general.
All that it takes is to go to the website, sign up, read the Editing and Multimedia Guides (and Interview Guide if you’re interviewing), and then you are free to contribute!

We've not had any interest which I know people always say is the price. We are considering a drop to £750k when the election is over. Is there anything else we could fix?
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/147074876#/?channel=RES_BUY
We bought for £540k in 2014 and the Nationwide Price calculator shows that should be £770k today. I can only think that we massively overpaid in that case as the link below is what the house looked like when we bought it. Apart from the stuff you can see that we've spent money on, (two bathrooms, timber flooring in living, dining and downstairs bedroom (gym), plastering, beam renovation, redecoration, kitchen revamp) we've sorted roof leaks, fixed external timbers and internal fireplace brickwork, upgraded the radiators and put a new boiler in. Outside, we've taken down a ghastly shed or two, moved the bins from the front door(!) to a hidden area behind the garage, and made a sunny terrace area for outside dining.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/43337615#/?channel=RES_BUY

The profusion of identical green tents at this spring’s anti-Israel protests struck many as odd. “Why is everybody’s tent the same?,” asked New York mayor Eric Adams. Like others, the mayor suspected “a well-concerted organizing effort” driving the protests. More recent reporting shows a concerted push behind the Gaza protest movement. But it is not as simple as a single organization secretly rallying protesters or buying tents. Instead, the movement’s most determined activists represent a network of loosely linked far-left groups. Some are openly affiliated with well-known progressive nonprofits; others work in the shadows.
The movement also draws on diverse but generous sources of financial backing. Those funding streams may soon be augmented by the federal government. As I chronicled last year in a Manhattan Institute report, “The Big Squeeze: How Biden’s Environmental Justice Agenda Hurts the Economy and the Environment,” the administration’s massive program of environmental justice grants seems designed to prioritize the funding of highly ideological local groups. The Inflation Reduction Act, for example, earmarks $3 billion for “environmental and climate justice block grants” intended for local nonprofits. Today, hundreds of far-left political groups include language about environmental issues and “climate justice” in their mission statements. If just a fraction of planned grants flows to such groups, the effect will be a gusher of new funding for radical causes.
As the Gaza protests spread across U.S. college campuses, many observers noted an eerie uniformity among them. From one campus to the next, protesters operated in disciplined cadres, keeping their faces covered and using identical rote phrases as they refused to talk with reporters. The Atlantic noted the strangeness of seeing elite college students “chanting like automatons.” Students held up keffiyeh scarves or umbrellas to block the view of prying cameras and linked arms to halt the movements of outsiders. At Columbia University and elsewhere, protesters formed “liberated zones,” from which “Zionists” were excluded. Around the edges of the encampments, the more militaristic activists donned helmets and goggles and carried crude weapons, apparently eager to mix it up with police or counter-protesters. We’ve seen these tactics before—notably during the “mostly peaceful” Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, when full-time agitators helped ignite riots, set up a police-free (and violence-plagued) zone in Seattle, and laid nightly siege to Portland, Oregon’s federal courthouse.
In a remarkable work of reporting, Park MacDougald recently traced the tangled roots of organizations backing pro-jihad protests, both on and off campuses. These include Antifa and other networks of anonymous anarchists, along with “various communist and Marxist-Leninist groups, including the Maoist Revolutionary Communist Party, the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), and the International ANSWER coalition,” MacDougald writes. Higher up the food chain, we find groups openly supported by America’s growing class of super-rich tech execs or the anti-capitalist heirs of great fortunes. For example, retired tech mogul Neville Roy Singham, who is married to Code Pink founder Jodie Evans, funds The People’s Forum, a lavish Manhattan resource center for far-left groups. As the Columbia protests intensified, the center urged members to head uptown to “support our students.” Following the money trail of other protest groups, MacDougald finds connections to the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the Ford Foundation, and—surprising no one—the George Soros-backed Tides Foundation.
Of course, the current wave of anti-Israel protests also involves alliances with pro-Hamas organizations such as Students for Justice in Palestine. Last November, Jonathan Schanzer of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies testified to the House Ways and Means Committee that SJP and similar groups have deep ties to global terrorist organizations, including Hamas.
For many keffiyeh-wearing protestors, however, a recently professed concern for Palestinians is just the latest in a long list of causes they believe justify taking over streets and college quads. In Unherd, Mary Harrington dubs this medley of political beliefs the “omnicause,” writing that “all contemporary radical causes seem somehow to have been absorbed into one.” Today’s leftist activists share an interlocking worldview that sees racism, income inequality, trans intolerance, climate change, alleged police violence, and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts all as products of capitalism and “colonialism.” Therefore, the stated rationale for any individual protest is a stand-in for the real battle: attacking Western society and its institutions.
In the U.S., this type of general-purpose uprising goes back at least to the riots at the 1999 meeting of the World Trade Organization in Seattle. In those protests, mainstream liberal factions—including labor unions and environmentalists—were joined by “black bloc” anarchists and other radicals eager to engage in “direct action” against police. That pattern—relatively moderate demonstrators providing a friendly envelope for hard-core disruptors—formed the template for many later protests: the Occupy Wall Street encampments in 2011, demonstrations following the police shooting of Michael Brown in 2014, 2016’s Standing Rock anti-pipeline movement, and of course, the calamitous summer of 2020.
These uprisings were not entirely spontaneous. In some cases, activists spend months planning mass actions—for example, against economic summits or political conventions—and can recruit street fighters from across the country. In others, an event, such as George Floyd’s death, sparks popular protests involving neophyte demonstrators. Those attract far-left activists, who swoop in to organize and expand the struggle, often tilting it toward more radical action.
That has certainly been the case at the college Gaza-paloozas. At Columbia, the New York Times spotted a woman old enough to be a student’s grandmother in the thick of the action as protesters barricaded that school’s Hamilton Hall. The woman was 63-year-old Lisa Fithian, a lifetime activist, who Portland’s alternative weekly Street Roots approvingly calls “a trainer of mass rebellion.” A counter-protester trying to block the pro-Hamas demonstrators told NBC News, “She was right in the middle of it, instructing them how to better set up the barriers.” Fithian told the Times she’d been invited to train students in protest safety and “general logistics.” She claims to have taken part in almost every major U.S. protest movement going back to the 1999 “Battle in Seattle.”
America’s radical network has plenty of Lisa Fithians, with the time and resources to travel the country educating newcomers about the “logistics” of disruptive protests. And these activists appear to have played key roles in the college occupations. The New York City Police Department says nearly half the demonstrators arrested on the Columbia and City University of New York (CUNY) campuses on April 30 were not affiliated with the schools. One hooded Hamilton Hall occupier—photographed scuffling with a Columbia custodian before getting arrested—turned out to be 40-year-old James Carlson, heir to a large advertising fortune. According to the New York Post, Carlson lives in a $2.3 million Park Slope townhouse and has a long rap sheet. For example, in 2005, he was arrested in San Francisco during the violent “West Coast Anti-Capitalist Mobilization and March Against the G8.” (Those charges were dropped.)
For a quarter-century now, Antifa and other anarchist networks have worked to refine tactics and share lessons following each major action. At Columbia, UCLA, and other schools, authorities found printouts of a “Do-It Yourself Occupation Guide” and similar documents. The young campus radicals are eager to learn from their more experienced elders. And, like the high-achieving students they are, they follow directions carefully. MacDougald asked Kyle Shideler, the director for homeland security and counterterrorism at the Center for Security Policy, about the mystery of the identical tents. There was no need for a central group to distribute hundreds of tents, Shideler said. Instead, “the organizers told [students] to buy a tent, and sent around a Google Doc with a link to that specific tent on Amazon. So they all went out and bought the same tent.”
In other words, America’s radical class has gotten very skilled at recruiting and instructing new activists—even from among the ranks of elite college students with a good deal to lose. How much more could this movement accomplish with hundreds of millions in federal dollars flooding activist groups around the country?
From its first week in office, the Biden administration has trumpeted its goal to funnel more environmental spending toward “disadvantaged communities that have been historically marginalized,” partly by issuing grants to grassroots organizations. Previous environmental justice (EJ) grant programs were small in scope. But, with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in August 2022, a huge pool of grant money became available. EPA administrator Michael Regan told reporters, “We’re going from tens of thousands of dollars to developing and designing a program that will distribute billions.”
More than a year and a half later, it remains hard to nail down just where the Biden administration’s billions in EJ grants will wind up. Money is being distributed through a confusing variety of programs, and the process of identifying recipients is ongoing. To help outsource the job of sifting through proposals, the EPA last year designated 11 institutions as “Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmakers.” These groups are empowered to make subgrants directly to community organizations, under streamlined EPA oversight. In all, the Biden administration has entrusted these outfits with distributing a staggering $600 million in funding. The money is expected to start flowing this summer.
The EPA’s grantmakers include a number of educational institutions and left-leaning nonprofits. For example, the EPA chose Fordham University as its lead grantmaker in the New York region. Fordham, in turn, lists as partners two nonprofits that oppose immigration enforcement. (One, the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, states on its website: “NJAIJ believes in the human right to migrate, regardless of citizenship or political status.”) Neither group claims expertise in environmental issues. Given that the IRA’s eligibility requirements for EJ grants are extremely vague, however, perhaps that’s not a problem. Almost any activity that could help “spur economic opportunity for disadvantaged communities” (in the words of Biden’s EJ executive order) might qualify.
Perhaps the most prominent—and problematic—EPA grantmaker is the Berkeley, California-based Climate Justice Alliance. The CJA is a consortium of mostly far-left activist groups. It describes its mission as working for “regenerative economic solutions and ecological justice—under a framework that challenges capitalism and both white supremacy and hetero-patriarchy.” The group is a vigorous proponent of the omnicause, embracing almost every left-wing concern as a manifestation of climate change. For example, the CJA website proclaims: “The path to climate justice travels through a free Palestine.” MacDougald notes that the Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, one of CJA’s affiliated groups, “organized an illegal anti-Israel protest in the Capitol Rotunda in December at which more than 50 activists were arrested.”
The CJA website also includes a section dedicated to the cause known as Stop Cop City. It refers to an effort to halt the construction of an 85-acre police and firefighter training center outside Atlanta. Rag-tag activists from around the country have gathered around the facility since 2021. They have repeatedly battled with police—sometimes with fireworks and Molotov cocktails—and used bolt cutters to enter the site and torch construction equipment. (CJA’s Stop Cop City page features a cartoon illustration of three childlike activists; one brandishes bolt cutters.) The group also backs a legal defense fund for activists arrested in attacks on the training center or in other protests. For those looking for more inspiration, CJA links to an interview with former Black Panther and self-described revolutionary Angela Davis.
The Alliance is not an ideological outlier in Biden’s EJ coalition. On the contrary, when the White House assembled its White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council (WHEJAC), a panel of outside experts meant to provide “horizon-expanding EJ advice and recommendations,” it chose CJA co-chair Elizabeth Yeampierre to help lead the committee. Like other members of the panel, she sees environmental issues through an ideological, not a scientific, lens. “Climate change is the result of a legacy of extraction, of colonialism, of slavery,” Yeampierre told Yale Environment 360. As a group, radical EJ activists tend not to focus on pragmatic ways to reduce pollution and carbon emissions; for them, the real goal is overturning what they see as an exploitative economic and political system. Since these are the voices the White House chose to help shape its EJ policies, we can assume this worldview will dominate grantmaking decisions.
In February 2023, House Oversight Committee chairman James Comer, along with fellow committee member Pat Fallon, wrote to EPA administrator Regan asking for more information on the EPA’s grant programs. They noted that the EPA’s own studies of EJ grants issued in previous years showed sloppy supervision. According to an EPA report, an earlier version of the program funded projects that did “not logically lead to the desired environmental and/or public health [result].” Without better oversight and more clearly defined goals, the congressmen wrote, the EPA’s EJ grant machine risks becoming simply a “slush fund for far-left organizations.”
Since then, the administration has done little to reassure skeptics. To the contrary, the EPA has put at least one far-left organization—CJA—in charge of distributing $50 million in grant money. No doubt, many of the EPA grants will go to worthwhile projects. But money is fungible. A group that gets a large grant to, say, clean up dirty parks or teach children about recycling will also be able to hire more staff and divert more resources to political action.
With graduation behind them, most of the anti-Israel college protesters have stowed away their keffiyehs and moved on to summer vacations or internships. But the peripatetic activists who helped guide and intensify those uprisings are doubtless already planning their next actions. After all, two political conventions are looming. This fall, the college protests will likely flare up again, though by then perhaps focused on a different facet of the omnicause. And, with hundreds of millions in fresh funding flowing through the activist ecosystem, the groups that quietly nurture extremists—like those who firebombed “Cop City,” or who chant “Intifada Revolution!,” or who block bridges in the name of “climate”—will be more emboldened than ever.
A Slush Fund for Radical Protesters? City Journal (city-journal.org)
​

Hey everyone I recently posted asking to listen to everyone’s new music and I was blown away by the response and the music!
I wanted to try and get people like you together in one spot so we can actively check out each others work so I thought discord might be a good way to do it.
After spending some time in discord servers I’ve noticed there’s some really good points and bad points to being in them.
Me and a couple of friends decided to try to compile the best points and make our own server.
We’re focussing on trying to help musicians and bands as much as possible.
We offer free band logo and artwork design for album or single covers, t shirt designing and other artwork things you might need.
We are also very keen on trying to help people with promotion by listening to your music and looking at your image, trying to develop it and give you a plan to work off of.
In the future we have plans for online interviews and online stage shows where bands take turns on the stage to play their new songs.
If you want to help us build this musicians co-op of sorts please let us know but we do ask if you want to join that you will positively engage in listening to other artists work so we can make the group beneficial for everyone.
Our server is brand new but we hope with your help we can make it a positive thing for your music.
It is mainly catered for rock/metal/punk/electronic/alternative music too.
Thanks for reading and hope to see you in there!

Hey everyone,
After spending some time in discord servers I’ve noticed there’s some really good points and bad points to being in them.
Me and a couple of friends decided to try to compile the best points and make our own server.
We’re focussing on trying to help musicians and bands as much as possible.
We offer free band logo and artwork design for album or single covers, t shirt designing and other artwork things you might need.
We are also very keen on trying to help people with promotion by listening to your music and looking at your image, trying to develop it and give you a plan to work off of.
In the future we have plans for online interviews and online stage shows where bands take turns on the stage to play their new songs.
If you want to help us build this musicians co-op of sorts please let us know but we do ask if you want to join that you will positively engage in listening to other artists work so we can make the group beneficial for everyone.
Our server is brand new but we hope with your help we can make it a positive thing for your music.
It is mainly catered for rock/metal/punk/electronic/alternative music too.
Thanks for reading and hope to see you in there!

My Hero Academia Season 7 Episode 5 - Discussion Thread Hub
Season 7 Episode 5 / Episode 143 Discussion Threads:

ANIME WATCHER DISCUSSION THREAD - For strictly anime-only discussion. All comments that hint towards or mention details not shown in the anime will be removed, regardless of spoiler tags, and can result in a ban. MANGA READER DISCUSSION THREAD - Free discussion of details from the manga. No spoiler tags needed. Anime-onlies enter at your own risk.

Link(s):

• Crunchyroll will have the subbed episode about 30 minutes after the episode finishes airing in Japan.
• Funimation will have the new subbed episode about 30 minutes after the episode finishes airing in Japan.
• Hulu & VRV will also have the episode sometime after it airs.
• No asking/posting illegal streams please!

Previous episode discussion(s)
Keep ALL Season 7 Episode 5 things in here for the next 24 hours!

It is a known fact that romancing on-screen for actors and actresses is merely their profession. Recently, actress Kareena Kapoor had to do some hot, bed scenes with co-star Arjun Rampal for Madhur Bhandarkar's film Heroine. But we cannot help but wonder how her beau Saif would have reacted since he had once mentioned that he hates Bebo getting intimate with any man onscreen.
We have already seen Heroine's trailer, that shows many intimate, love making scenes between Kareena and Arjun. Cherishing his love making scenes with Bebo, Arjun had recently said, "I can't get over the Kareena effect. I still cherish the love-making scenes. In fact, even today, when I close my eyes, I feel the moments when I'm in a mood."
On being further probed about Saif's comfort zone over such steamy scenes, Rampal told the daily, "Saif and I have mutual respect for each other. So no calls were made."
Now, we wonder if Saif was presumably insecure about his ladylove Bebo doing hot scenes with her male co-star in Heroine. In fact, sometime back, in a chat show, Saif had clearly stated that he feels like killing anyone who holds his girlfriend, Kareena Kapoor. He further admitted that he gets very upset watching Kareena make love to her male co-stars. So, was Saifu angry over such intimate scenes?
https://www.filmibeat.com/bollywood/features/2012/saif-ali-khan-furious-kareena-onscreen-intimacy-arjun-097817.html

Ahoy there! I've been feeling a bit lonely and friendless lately, so I'm hoping to make some new connections.
A bit about me:

• Southeast Asian descent
• Born and raised in Southern California
• Raised Buddhist but not religious
• Love reading fantasies, manga, manhwa, manhua, sci-fi, horror, and poorly written web novels
• Gaming on PC (Minecraft, Stardew, Grounded, Valheim, and other open-world survival/co-op games)

I'm currently focusing on self-improvement:

• Going back to school for a CS degree
• Trying to socialize more, work out, and be open to new experiences
• Practicing mindfulness and aiming to be a better person

I'm also exploring new hobbies, so if you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them!
Big fan of:

• Crime procedural shows (Criminal Minds, Numbers, Psych)
• Cartoons (Futurama, Avatar: TLA, Rick and Morty, Simpsons)
• Anime (used to be a huge weeb)
• Shows like Friends, Scrubs, Love, Death & Robots, Twilight Zone

Looking for someone laid-back to chat with, game, watch shows/movies, or just talk.
If you're interested, send me a message with some info about yourself! :]

Boku no Hero Academia Season 7, episode 5
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pic for reference 👀
24F, 5’6 100lbs, taking amox-clav, non-smoker
I get sick at least every month (lately every few weeks) for the past year with terrible cold and flu symptoms (productive cough, runny nose, sore throat, ear pain.) My mucus is blue every time. I have chronic shortness of breath the last year and a MicroGenX swab didn't show anything to indicate why my phlegm is blue. I'm on a second round of amoxicillin-clav per an allergist.
Does anyone have any idea what could be causing my terrible immune system, SOB, and blue mucus? Thank you so much.
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Age:30 Female Race:South Asian/Mongolian.
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I'll try to keep this as short and concise as possible. Up until 6 months ago there was no issues at all with her health, however it started with dry red patches of skin on her hands that got bad enough to start bleeding.
The patches moved to her forearms, she has a circular dry patch on her upper thigh, she's experienced dryness 'down there' also.
A couple of times she has had a red rash show up across her face and bridge of the nose, and now just recently her ears are being affected quite badly, and they seem to be getting worse - dryness, burning and itchiness mainly around the back of the ears and the ear lobes have actually swelled up, a couple of her fingers swelled up and as well as her lips at times.
We've been to the doctors a handful of times who first suggested allergies, however anti histamines don't seem to help, we did an allergy test which had some interesting results such as a sensitivity to rice, but she still gets flair ups when avoiding anything she is sensitive too.
The last time we went to the doctors he said it maybe fungal so has told he have her canesten thursh treatment and told her to use nizoral shampoo on the body parts affected twice a week, but the redness around her ears is till spreading and getting worse.
I've had this suspicion for a while it could be an autoimmune issue so I mentioned this to the doctor who has sent her for a blood test - still waiting on the results of this.
Please any insight or help would be massively appreciated as I don't know what else we can do or try, she's been using highly recommended skin products to try and combat the dryness, which gives some temporary relief but she's still in pain and itching quite a lot.
Doctor has referred her to a dermatologist but the wait time is apparently upto 2 years and at the rate this seems to be getting worse her whole body could be covered by then. Ive attached pictures.
This is a cry for help as she was asking to go to a and e last night due to the pain but I know they don't really care unless it's life threatening, and I just don't know what else we can do to try get to the bottom of this. T. I. A

DUBAI
Preview: Start Watching the Premiere of The Real Housewives of Dubai Season 2! (Bravo)
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BEVERLY HILLS
Kyle Richards slams Lisa Vanderpump’s ‘really mean’ comments about Mauricio Umansky split (Page Six)
Take a Look Back at Yolanda Hadid's Massive Engagement Ring from David Foster (PICS) (Bravo)
NEW JERSEY
Teresa Giudice's daughter Milania, 18, looks just like the Real Housewives of New Jersey matriarch after major makeover for school prom (Daily Mail)
ORANGE COUNTY
Heather Dubrow Shares a "Throwback For The Ages": "Do We Look Alike?" (PHOTOS) (Bravo)
ATLANTA
Kim Zolciak Calls Cops on Kroy Biermann; Accuses Him of Stealing Her Phone (All About TRH)
BRAVO
Column: The very L.A. lessons at the heart of reality TV smash ‘Vanderpump Rules’ (LA Times)
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The Mediatore’s are the perfect definition of the term “Long Island Trash”.

In 2003, when I was just 13 years old, I was molested by my uncle Ronald Mediatore (now 58), who was and still is a 6th grade teacher in Denver, CO. No one filed a police report. No one took me to a child psychologist to get the story out of me. 21 years later (about a month ago) I found out that not only did the pedo confess everything to his sister (my Aunt Kathy Stover (now 60)- a nationally recognized librarian and published author, who deemed these actions “textbook molestation") just months later but Kathy told my mother (54), who then told her mother (my grandmother, Judy Mediatore (82)- retired nurse/paralegal) and her other sister (my Aunt Stacy Heinz (57)- a 3rd grade teacher).

So here I am, 21 years later, knowing 4 adults who knew exactly where this man’s hands went on me just months after the incident and did nothing about it. And now that I’ve started asking questions about what happened to me, they’ve all closed ranks and cut me off. The victim deserves answers, and these cowards don’t have the backbone to talk to me face to face w/o a therapist present (probably to keep the conversation confidential). Every adult in my life at the time let me down and didn’t give me justice. Instead, they all covered up the family pedo to keep the peace and so he could go back to teaching 6th graders.

I, and my 2 younger brothers, were reintroduced to this man via my mom asking, "Are you ok with Uncle Ronny being there?" 6 years later and the family reunions went on as if nothing happened. And since I wasn't told how wrong this was and everyone else showed nothing but love and smiles, I was lead to believe everything was fine- textbook manipulation. That is a very powerful tool to use on a person, especially when you start at the age of 13; it can carry on through adulthood. And it did.

The statute of limitations in NY prevents me from taking any legal action, for sexual misconduct or pain and suffering, so I’ve been turned away be every attorney. Only way to hold these sick fucks accountable for their actions is to blast them on social media, since they refuse to talk to me about it.

Share the story and don’t forget the name Ronald Mediatore. I have text messages and voice recordings via zoom sessions with my mother that confirm every detail of this story, and a lot more. The family betrayal hit me hard as I went through the grieving process and if there’s a lawyer out there that will take my case, please reach out.

I'm doing the hard thing that no one else had the courage to do when I needed help: filing a police report (so that's it's documented, even if it's too late) and talking about it openly.

Does ALLAH (ﷻ) give sustenance to People? "Yes"
But he keeps some people poor!
When he gives sustenance to some and doesn't give it to others, that is their test.
"It's in my hands."
What is a test? The basis of our life in this world is to be tested!
"I thought very precisely about my economic situation to fix my livelihood according to Islamic orders. But what results did I get? It went wrong.
"Yes, this is a feedback which the testing system may give us.
ALLAH (ﷻ) says, "I ruin some people's clever, intelligent, and correct contrives to reach money in such a way that they don't get it. Then, in front of that person's eyes, I take an unthinking, simple, and naive person to reach high economic peaks so that everyone understands that everything is in My hands.
Quranic Verse: "And Allah is predominant over His affair, but most of the people do not know." (Surah Yusuf - 21)
It is not in their hands.
"Immediately weak people say, "So we won't plan anymore."
"Why don't you make plans now? Planning is your responsibility."
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: "A man's work is according to his intention, and he will get that which he intended." (Sahih Bukhari)
"What's the use of planning when a corner of it is in God's hands, and He may pull it suddenly?"
Nothing. You can't do anything. You will fall flat on your face, but you must plan. Did you think that there is no God, and you wanted to plan based on that? You were wrong.
Imam Ali (AS) said: "Know that even if a person runs away from his sustenance as he runs away from death, his sustenance will reach him just as death will reach him." (Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 1147-1148)
Some contrive based on the idea that others besides ALLAH (ﷻ) are effective, and they get results!
"Poor Person! ALLAH (ﷻ) has willed to give these results to him. He is like a child who thinks these are the results of his contrivances."
Quranic Verse: "And it is He who enriches and suffices." (Surah An-Najm - 48)
The Quran stated clearly that the gardeners who had bountiful gardens thought it was because of their own ability.
Qarun thought that due to his own ability, he had a lot of money. He had seriously contrived and spent time. He hadn't wasted his time or gained it suddenly. He had worked hard.
Quranic Verse: "He said, 'I was only given it because of knowledge I have.' Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him of generations those who were greater than him in power and greater in accumulation [of wealth]? But the criminals about their sins will not be asked." (Surah Al-Qasas - 78)
But ALLAH (ﷻ) says, "I have given these things to you. Your plans have passed through my testing system, and I have ordered you to give you the results of your hard work."
With this discussion, you are suspending us between the earth and the sky." "You are like that anyway, my friend." We all got to read and understand some of the Quran. ALLAH attributes everything to Himself. You must do your duty while you are suspended.
Don't be attached to this world. Be like a person who is going to die tomorrow.
But, plan like a person who wants to live till the end. The rest has nothing to do with you.
This doesn't mean that when I say, "This has nothing to do with you," you say, "So I shouldn't think about the results?" My dear, it is your duty to plan to try to reach the result. You must plan and work for it. But if you don't get the results, don't worry about it."
Quranic Verse: "And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives. And that his effort is going to be seen." (Surah an-Najm 39-40)
"ALLAH (ﷻ) has said that He has provided these things after they went through a testing process. I tested and approved your plan, and I have decided to reward you for your effort. This is to show everyone that everything is controlled by Me, not by them."
"The most determining factor in human destiny."