Mr.Shelby

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!🥳🥳

Happy Birthday!

https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/economia/con-ley-de-defensa-a-los-clientes-se-prohibe-el-hostigamiento-por-cobros-y-se-pone-plazo-para-devolver-un-producto-nota/ The regulations establish a period of 15 days to make changes or returns of a product, in the state in which it was received. The rule prohibits persistent and repetitive harassment, intimidation or annoyance against a consumer for the collection of a debt. Photo: File. Photo: The Universe After the National Assembly processed President Guillermo Lasso's partial veto on the Organic Law to Defend the Rights of Clients of the National Financial System and Avoid Undue Charges and Unsolicited Services, it sent this regulation to the Official Registry. The Legislative accepted 12 of 32 objections formulated by the Executive ; in the remaining 20 , the Assembly ratified the text approved last December, according to the report prepared by the Economic Regime Commission. The resolution was approved with 123 votes in favor on Wednesday afternoon. It includes reforms to the Monetary and Financial Code, the Consumer Protection Law and the Telecommunications Law. The norm establishes a limit of collections through calls, messages or email; the term for the return of products and changes of plans without additional charges. Collection Harassment Prohibited The collection companies contracted by the suppliers, which carry out collection management by telephone, by means of messages, calls or email, may not do so more than once a day. Neither at a time before 07:00 or after 20:00, nor on weekends or holidays , nor from an unidentifiable telephone number. Therefore , persistent and repetitive harassment, intimidation or annoyance against a consumer for the collection of a debt is prohibited. Controls over banking services Financial service entities were ordered to carry out controls on the services they provide through electronic banking and other electronic channels. In addition, that they implement adequate and sufficient security to safeguard user resources. They must also inform customers of the security measures applied in relation to the use of keys and passwords. And they will have to submit to the National Assembly an accountability report during the first quarter of each year with respect to the previous fiscal year, which will include a description of the general state of the national financial system, as well as the results of the control and defending the rights of users and customers. claims The rule indicates that the entities of the financial system must deliver a report every six months to the competent Superintendency on the number of claims filed , claims handled favorably and amounts returned. Customers have the right to address claims and requests at any agency or branch of financial entities, control body and customer ombudsman. Now financial entities must attend and respond to the user within a maximum period of 15 days for claims originating in the country. If it is outside, the term is 40 days. Meanwhile, if in cases of claims in which there is no prior authorization from the client for charges, the financial institution must return , without further formality, the entire amount , plus interest calculated from the date on which the charges occurred. . These returns must be made within a maximum of three days. Right to protection The regulations establish that the clients of the national financial system will have the right to require the adoption of measures that guarantee both the security of financial operations and to receive effective protection without delay by the client's ombudsman, the superintendencies and other administrative instances. or competent courts in the following cases: Existence of prohibited clauses that violate your rights. Violation of the protection of your personal data that financial entities obtain. Refusal to access your information and personal credit data by physical or digital means, which are contained in any database of the entities of the national financial system. Rectification may be required free of charge when information is inaccurate or erroneous. Use of judicial and extrajudicial collection methods by financial institutions that violate privacy, personal dignity, honor and good reputation. Unilateral modifications of conditions and terms included in contracts. Refusal to receive deposit guarantee fund coverage. Refusal by financial entities to provide information and documentation of all acts that support the negotiation, contracting, execution, termination of contract and the provision of products and services in which they are direct providers. Failure to obtain documents that have been canceled and endorsed due to the subrogation of the indirect obligation. Return of products Consumers, according to the regulations, have the right to return, change or suspend a product or service when they are dissatisfied or when it does not meet their expectations. The term to make changes or returns is 15 days after the delivery of the product, in the state in which it was received. In the case of services, their return translates into the immediate suspension of their contract. contract plans Reforms to the Telecommunications Law are established where changes are made to the rights of subscribers, customers and users of that service. Customers can request to change the contracted plan, without generating any additional financial obligation. Service providers with prepaid and postpaid plans are required to offer plans that allow the minutes of calls, text messages and megabytes of data that are not used to accumulate for the next billing period. Purposes of the Superintendency of Banks The Executive proposed to eliminate article 60 considering it redundant, but the Assembly passed it with certain modifications. Then, the Superintendence of Banks will carry out the surveillance, audit, intervention, control and supervision of the financial activities carried out by the public and private entities of the national financial system, with the purpose that these activities serve the general interest, are subject to the legal system , and to avoid, prevent and discourage fraudulent and prohibited practices in order to protect the rights of users and/or clients of the national financial system. (I)

https://www.elperiodicodearagon.com/sociedad/2022/02/03/desarrollan-tecnologia-crea-tejidos-humanos-62259505.html The objective of the 3D bioprinting technique is to generate in vitro models that are sufficiently complex and suitable for use in the pharmaceutical industry and in basic research. This technology could make it possible to reduce animal experimentation in laboratories. EFE The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) coordinates a European project to reduce animal experimentation with the development of a light-based 3D bioprinting technology that manufactures human tissues from cell cultures. According to the researchers, this technology could make it possible to reduce animal experimentation in laboratories , something that is still essential for scientists, and could even be used to produce organs in the laboratory. Although the European Union , through the European Association for Animal Research, regulates animal research following the 3R principle: Replace animals with other methods; Reduce the number of animals used and refine the methodology to minimize animal suffering , it is still essential to use animals for experimentation, something highly criticized by animal associations and much of society. Faced with this situation, the project coordinated by IBEC intends to use 3D printing for biomedical purposes, known as tissue engineering or regenerative medicine and increasingly common in the field of bone and dental prostheses or to produce cartilage. The researchers of this project are already manufacturing human skin , a highly complex tissue, in a project funded by the European Union and coordinated by researchers from the IBEC Biomimetic Systems laboratory for cell engineering, led by Elena Martínez. Testing of drugs and cosmetics Its objective is to create in vitro models that are sufficiently complex and suitable for use in the pharmaceutical industry (testing of cosmetics and drugs) and in basic research, reducing animal experimentation. To do this, researchers are developing a new 3D bioprinting technology based on high-quality laser light with which they intend to overcome some technical obstacles that currently limit the manufacture of complex human tissues "Our innovative 3D bioprinting system not only achieves tissues that are closer to the real ones, but it is also much faster than current systems", explained Elena Martínez, coordinator of the European project. A key aspect in this technology is the hydrogels , materials that form the base where the cells that will form the new tissue will grow. Another relevant factor is that the entire process can be done in a personalized way, since patient cells can be used to manufacture the new tissue. To perfect the new technology, the BRIGHTER researchers are already printing human skin, a tissue with a complex three-dimensional structure made up of multiple cell types and structures such as sweat glands and villi. According to Martínez, the skin made with this new technology can be used as a substitute for animals in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry and in basic research laboratories, and can also help meet the demand for skin in medical interventions, for example, in burns or people suffering from different dermatological diseases. mold in detail "The advantage of this new technology is that it allows the fabric being printed to be molded in detail, which in the case of leather is crucial, since it is a dynamic fabric made up of several layers with different cell types and matrix composition. extracellular," according to Martínez. To 'print' the skin, and so that it adopts its structure, shape and consistency, the researchers use advanced imaging techniques , which combine illumination with sheets of light and high-resolution digital photomasks, and thus be able to fix the cells in the hydrogels. They do this by applying laser light directly onto a mixture of materials (hydrogels and cells), which also contains molecules that react to light. In this way, it is possible to mold the new fabric and manufacture its 3D structure 'à la carte', controlling the stiffness, shape and dimensions, thus creating three-dimensional fabrics with complex geometry. "We hope to be able to print a skin sample with an area of 1 square centimeter and a thickness of 1 millimeter in approximately 10 minutes and with a cell viability of more than 95%, greatly improving current bioprinting conditions", IBEC researcher Núria advanced. towers.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/mazda/cx-5/first-drives/mazda-cx-5-25-awd-gt-sport-2022-uk-review When Mazda launched the original CX-5 in 2012, SUVs accounted for just 2% of its UK sales. A decade later and as the second-generation car enters the second half of its lifecycle, that proportion has climbed to 60%. That’s emblematic of not just of the success of the model itself but also the meteoric surge in the po[CENSORED]rity of family SUVs as a whole over the past decade, which means the CX-5 now contends with a field of rivals that is one of the most comprehensive and most competitive of any on the market. This is actually the latest in a series of updates for the second-generation car since it was launched in 2017, but the closest to what you’d recognise as a mid-life facelift. New for 2022 is a revamped front end (note the chunkier grille surround and redesigned LED headlight clusters), a claimed boost in rolling refinement and the addition of a new drive mode select function on automatic models, called Mi-Drive, which brings dedicated Sport and Off-road driving modes. The line-up has also been shuffled to accommodate the oddly named Newground trim, which comes in a divisive shade of Zircon Sand Metallic (other, less flattering names have been suggested - although this tester appreciates any colour that isn’t silver, grey or white being offered) and brings bright green trim accents and seat piping. If nothing else, it’s an effective means of exhibiting individuality in this, the most crowded – nay, ubiquitous – market segment, but entry-level SE-L and best-selling Sport are more familiar in their conception. Mazda also claims to have boosted ride comfort and refinement with modifications to the CX-5’s bodyshell – chiefly for enhanced lateral rigidity – and tweaks to the suspension’s damping settings with the aim of reducing pitch and roll. This focus on comfort extends to the reshaped seats, which “use their shape and the entire cushioned surface both keep the pelvis upright, and optimise the [CENSORED]ture of the spine”. Chiropractors rejoice. We spent most of our time in the range-topping GT Sport car, equipped with Mazda’s most powerful engine, a 191bhp 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder, sending its reserves to both axles. Unlike the bulk of its rivals, the CX-5 is not available with a hybrid powertrain as yet, although start-stop is standard fare and this engine is equipped with cylinder deactivation for reduced consumption at a cruise. What's it like? Mazda stands out from its peers by virtue of its capacity to design cabin environments that seem near universally well received, and the CX-5 continues to attract in this respect. The infotainment screen is sensibly sized and sensibly controlled via a console-mounted rotary dial (thumbs up), and there’s a physical button or switch for all of the most commonly used functions (two thumbs up). It’s far from cluttered, though. Mazda’s sleek, minimalistic Kodo design language carries through to a cockpit that’s airy and modern, with good visibility and comfortable seating. There’s plenty of knee, elbow, shoulder and head room in each row, and the agreeably capacious boot is made bigger still courtesy of a ‘hidden’ storage tray where once you may have found a spare wheel. The brown nappa leather upholstery and wood-grain trim make the GT Sport car feel like a bona fide premium offering, and the intuitive gauge cluster format is a well-timed lesson in ergonomics for those other manufacturers which attempt to show too much data behind the steering wheel. The 2.5-litre range-topping engine is a noisy lump, making itself well known in the cabin as it progresses through the automatic gearbox’s six ratios – perhaps another couple of cogs at the top end would stretch things out sufficiently to abate some of the fuss – but compared with rivals that use a CVT gearbox, the accelerative experience is far easier on the ears. Cruising economy is far from the class best, though, with 35.3mpg on the WLTP combined cycle putting it some way behind the exclusively hybridised Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Nissan Qashqai - and the 182g/km of CO2 it pumps out puts it at least two tax brackets above. However, it's a smooth and suitably potent performer generally and never feels wanting for power, even when overtaking at speed or pulling out onto busy roads. But if you’re considering a Mazda as your household's next steed, you must care – at least slightly more than a jot – about dynamic appeal. And the good news is that beneath this lofty and eminently sensible body (at least on the 4WD top-rung car) is an attainably engaging chassis and powertrain - on the right roads, in the right conditions and with the drivetrain configured appropriately. In the case of our test drive, the roads were a mixture of tight and slick, sweeping and drenched, with plenty of scope to verify the 9.3sec 0-62mph sprint time between bends – hardly rapid but far from dull – and tackle bends enthusiastically. This being Mazda’s least overtly sporting car, dynamic verve is hardly going to be the factor that nabs the bulk of buyers, but even in this prevailingly sensible and staid segment, there’s got to be room to cut loose occasionally. obviously, even when not going for it – but for the most part, the CX-5 feels well tied down and predictably composed. The steering becomes perceptibly weightier off centre and torque-vectoring trickery makes it possible to almost pivot through tight corners at speed, but at all times, there’s a sense of disengagement between the thin-rimmed steering wheel and the front wheels, and it quickly becomes clear that although the CX-5 is more inspiring to pilot through the twisties than its competitors might be, this is not a car that will tempt you out of bed for a blast before the kids get up. But you didn’t expect it to be, so that’s fine. Sport mode, added as part of the newly integrated Mi-Drive powertrain management system, makes everything a bit louder and redder for that artificially enhanced sporting experience, which only begins to feel slightly less synthetic with the gearbox operated manually through the column-mounted paddles. In this scenario, the Mazda manages to entertain beyond what might be considered the bare minimum, but the bar – let’s remember – is not a high one to clear in this regard. The four-wheel-drive range-topper also gets an Off-road mode for peace of mind and ease of use over more challenging terrain, although it may as well be called ‘Football Practice’ mode and reserved exclusively for Sunday mornings. The CX-5 is at its best in day-to-day driving scenarios, rolling smoothly and quietly over all but the most chasmic of imperfections, and dependably maintaining grip at each end when the going gets greasy. Gripes extend to a vibration through the steering wheel and seat base over crumbly Tarmac and a noticeable amount of tyre and wind roar at speed, but neither of these overly blights the driving experience and the CX-5 is a capable tourer, irrespective of specification. There are two other powertrains on offer: a more frugal 163bhp 2.0-litre petrol, which drives just the front wheels and feels a tad gutless by comparison (but can be paired with a satisfyingly snickety six-speed manual ’box) and a 181bhp 2.2-litre diesel. The diesel, while hardly the fashionable choice, is certainly the sensible one for any buyer with a lot of ground to cover, given it’ll crack 42.8mpg, and because the petrols are naturally aspirated, it barely gives anything away in terms of top-end grunt. Just don’t expect to be encouraged into any exuberance by the gruff engine note. Should I buy one? For manufacturers, there’s quite a risk attached to any sort of attempt at differentiation in the family SUV segment: too little and there’s nothing to set your high-rised hauler apart from the Qashqais and Kugas of this world, but too much and you risk alienating the vast majority of family and fleet buyers, who tend not to give two hoots whether or not their car looks and drives a bit like the Jones’s next door. The updated CX-5 remains a perfect example of compromise, in spite of its sub-par economy ratings. The brand’s prevailing selling points – among them attractive styling inside and out, agreeable levels of kit and well-rounded dynamics – shine through tangibly, and without threatening the CX-5’s positioning as a capacious and comfortable do-it-all crossover. One to buy with your head, for sure, but your heart won’t sink to see it on your driveway.

https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/jeuje-zhoosh-zhuzh-a-word-of-many-spellings-and-meanings-7754478/ However it’s spelled, the word is used to convey what is often hard to: the act of adding an extra something special, a little oomph, to a dish, hairdo, outfit or any number of things. But where did it come from? Commonly used to describe that extra something added to almost anything, the slang term "jeuje" has a centuries-long history. (Kookie Santos/The New York Times) By Hayley Phelan When you fluff up pillows on your well-worn sofa, or turn your shirt sleeves up just-so, or sprinkle some spices over your morning eggs, you may be engaging in the art of the “jeuje.” Or is it “zhoosh”? Make that “zhuzh.” However it’s spelled, the word is used to convey what is often hard to: the act of adding an extra something special, a little oomph, to a dish, hairdo, outfit or any number of things. But where did it come from? Theories abound online. A few have placed their bets on Yiddish. Others swear the term is Romani in origin, derived from the word “zhouzho,” meaning clean or neat. And still others insist that it is an expressive formation, like “whoosh.” The most interesting origin story is also the one with the most historical backing. According to Paul Baker, a linguist at Lancaster University in England, the word can be traced to Polari, “a secret form of language, used mostly by gay men, which flourished in the early 20th century” in the United Kingdom. According to Baker, who has written two books on Polari, including “Fantabulosa: A Dictionary of Polari and Gay Slang,” the language is the product of “a very complicated and nonlinear chain” of events. He said it probably began as workplace slang among British sailors, who, traveling abroad, encountered the lingua franca of mainland Europe — i.e., French — and brought it home. Since sailors knew all manner of ropes, knots and rigging apparatus, they often took jobs on land as theater stagehands and circus performers. Polari thrived among Britain’s fairgrounds, circuses and markets, metabolizing words from here and there (including bits of Romani), then twisting — or zhuzhing — them up. Some Polari terms are “back slang,” or existing words pronounced as if they were spelled backward (“riah” for “hair,” for instance). By the 20th century, Baker said, Polari was spoken throughout the gay community in Britain, which had been driven underground by the country’s laws policing sexual behavior. Baker said the language allowed gay men to communicate frankly and identify one another, but with its irrepressible jauntiness, it also celebrated the customs and spirit of a marginalized community. “It was also used for general gossip, to be hilariously funny, and to ‘read’ people with the most cutting put-downs,” Baker said. Jonathon Green, who has spent the past 40ish years working on a comprehensive online dictionary of slang, cited early usage of the word — spelled as “zhoosh”— in a 1977 article from the British newspaper Gay News: “We would zhoosh [‘fix’] our riahs [‘hair’], powder our eeks [‘faces’], climb into our bona [‘nice’] new drag [‘clothes’], don our batts [‘shoes’] and troll off [‘cruise’] to some bona bijou [‘nice, small’] bar.” Baker puts weight on the theory that the word “may have come about due to its onomatopoeic qualities.” Originally, he wrote in an email, “it was used in a variety of contexts, e.g., to zhoosh off (to go away), to zhoosh a bevvy (to gulp down a drink), to steal something (a zhoosh bag was a swag bag).” ALSO READ |New book tells story of India through its languages “It was gradually this ‘styling’ sense that became the dominant one, possibly because it was more useful for gay men,” Baker said. In the 1960s, Polari shot to mainstream awareness thanks to BBC radio’s po[CENSORED]r comedy program “Round the Horne,” which followed the campy adventures of out-of-work theater actors Julian and Sandy, played by Kenneth Williams and Hugh Paddick, gay icons of British entertainment. “It was all double entendre, and hidden meaning, deeply wonderful stuff and no doubt would have thrilled anyone familiar with Polari, to hear it on the radio, and know what it meant,” Green said. It is interesting to note that the word’s current resurgence can largely be attributed to that bastion of 21st-century gay culture, “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” on which viewers delighted in Carson Kressley admonishing his hapless new subject to “jeuje” up an ensemble by popping a collar or rolling up a sleeve. “It means to tweak it, making it better, giving it some personality, your own personal touch,” Kressley said. The show premiered in 2003; two years later, the Oxford English Dictionary added the word to its database, under the spelling “zhoosh.” “Though some people credit me with the word, it was actually a word I learned working with Ralph Lauren and specifically Ralph and his brother Jerry who I worked directly with, styling looks,” Kressley said. Slang has historically emerged through spoken language; words didn’t used to find their way into print until they’d been heavily codified. But with the birth of social media and meme culture, slang words are increasingly hitting our eyes before our ears. “We are seeing slang words far earlier in their development nowadays,” said Emily Brewster, a senior editor and lexicographer at Merriam-Webster. “And the number of years that it takes a slang word, which is markedly informal, qualify for entry has decreased dramatically.” In the 1950s, Brewster said, it took an average of 35 years for a word, once coined, to qualify for entry in the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Today, it is just 11 — or less. So is “zhuzh” destined for those storied pages anytime soon? “I can say it has not been drafted for entry,” Brewster said, “but it is definitely one we are watching, and one that is getting closer to entry.” Ironically, when that day happens it might mark the end of the word’s appeal among the style-minded. “We don’t really enter a word until it’s ho-hum,” Brewster said, “until it’s like, ‘Nobody says zhuzh anymore.’”

https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-59644043 The Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics are taking place this month. However, China's human rights record has prompted a number of countries to declare diplomatic boycotts of the Games, which means their top officials won't attend. When are the Games and how big are they? The Winter Olympics take place from 4 February to 20 February with around 3,000 athletes competing in 109 different events. The Winter Paralympics run from 4 March to 13 March, with 736 competitors across 78 events. Some Olympic events, such as curling, are taking place a ahead of the opening ceremony on 4 February. China's government and businesses are spending $3.9bn (£2.95bn) on the Games, which are taking place in and around Beijing: Indoor ice events will take place in stadiums in Beijing Yanqing, 75 km from Beijing, will stage alpine skiing, bobsled and the luge Zhangjiakou, 180 km from Beijing, will host most skiing and snowboarding events The organisers will spray about 1.2 million cubic metres of artificial snow onto competition sites because so little falls in the region. China has been criticised over the environmental impact of this process. Because of Covid, competitors and officials will be kept in secure "bubbles" and no spectator tickets will be sold to the public. Which countries are boycotting the Olympics? The US, UK and Canada have declared a diplomatic boycott of the Games, along with Australia, Lithuania, Kosovo, Belgium, Denmark and Estonia. Although they will all send athletes to compete, no ministers or officials will attend. The US said this was because of China's "human rights abuses and atrocities in Xinjiang" against the province's Muslim po[CENSORED]tion. British MP Iain Duncan Smith, who represents the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, said: "The Chinese government commits industrial-scale human rights abuses in the Uyghur Region, Tibet and sends near-daily military incursions into Taiwan's airspace. "We cannot lend any legitimacy to China's despotic regime." Japan has also said it won't send any government ministers to the Games but will send Olympic officials. China has cracked down on anti-government protests in Hong Kong New Zealand, Austria, Slovenia, Sweden and the Netherlands are not sending government representatives to the Games, but are citing Covid risks as their reason. France is against a boycott. President Macron has said: "I don't think we should politicise these topics, especially if it is to take steps that are insignificant and symbolic." There have also been protests across the world against the Beijing Games by human rights activists. What are the allegations against China? The Beijing government is accused of committing atrocities against the Uyghur Muslim po[CENSORED]tion in the northwest province of Xinjiang. Human rights groups believe more than one million Uyghurs have been detained over the past few years in a large network of what the state calls "re-education camps", with hundreds of thousands sentenced to prison terms. A suspected "re-education" camp in China's northwestern Xinjiang region Why are China's Winter Olympics so controversial? There is also evidence that Uyghurs are being used as forced labour, and that women are being forcibly sterilised. Some former camp detainees allege they were tortured and sexually abused. Who are the Uyghurs? Beijing is also accused of restricting the freedom of people in Hong Kong through new legislation including the Hong Kong National Security Law. In its 2021 annual report, Human Rights Watch said that "Beijing's repression - insisting on political loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party - deepened across the country". German government ministers boycotting the Games said they were protesting against the treatment of Chinese tennis champion Peng Shuai. She was not heard from for nearly three weeks after she made allegations of sexual assault against Zhang Gaoli, former vice-premier of China, and a high-ranking communist party member. Ms Peng said they had a romantic relationship, and that he had "forced" her to have sexual relations with him. It is the first time such an allegation has been made against one of China's senior political leaders. Peng Shuai: What we know so far How China censored a tennis star How has China responded? China's government denies all the allegations made in the case of Ms Peng. The country has also consistently denied violating human rights in Xinjiang, and has warned its most vocal accusers - such as the US and Germany - not to interfere in its "internal affairs" in Hong Kong. It has spoken out most loudly against the US diplomatic boycott. China's Foreign Ministry said that the US had "clearly violated the Olympic spirit", and "will pay a price for its erroneous actions". However, it has not specified what this price might be. Testing times in the Olympic mountains Does the diplomatic boycott of Beijing 2022 matter? What are the warnings about mobile phones? Athletes and others attending the Games are being warned about security weaknesses in the app they have to use for daily Covid monitoring. Cybersecurity group Citizen Lab said the app has weak encryption systems and that data loaded on it such as medical and travel histories could be exploited by hackers. Several countries have reportedly told athletes to leave their main devices at home and use burner phones at the Games. Chinese state media have dismissed the concerns.

Url: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60145159 The US has rejected Russia's demand to bar Ukraine from Nato, amid warnings Russia might invade its neighbour. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was giving Russia a formal response to its demands to resolve the Ukraine crisis. Mr Blinken gave no concessions but said that he was offering Russia "a serious diplomatic path forward, should Russia choose it". Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said President Vladimir Putin would now assess Mr Blinken's response. While the document - delivered by the US in coordination with the Nato military alliance - does not address Russia's "main concern" about the alliance's expansion, Mr Lavrov said it "gives hope for the start of a serious conversation" on secondary questions. The president's spokesman Dmitry Peskov meanwhile told reporters Russia would not "rush into assessments", saying it would take "time to analyse" the response. Russia had issued a written list of its concerns about the expansion of Nato and related security issues. Among them was a demand for Nato to rule out the possibility of Ukraine and others ever joining the alliance. In recent weeks, Russia has been amassing large numbers of troops on the Ukraine border - something which Western countries have seen as preparation for a possible invasion. Russia denies this. Mr Blinken said the US response made its "core principles" clear, including Ukraine's sovereignty and its right to choose to be part of security alliances such as Nato. "There should be no doubt about our seriousness of purpose when it comes to diplomacy, and we're acting with equal focus and force to bolster Ukraine's defences and prepare a swift united response to further Russian aggression," he said. "It remains up to Russia to decide how to respond," he added. "We're ready either way." The secretary of state said the US had sent three shipments of military "assistance" this week - including Javelin missiles and anti-armour weaponry, along with hundreds of tonnes of ammunition and equipment. Confidential talks Mr Blinken also denied any rift or difference of opinion between the US and its European allies. Nato, he said, had prepared its own set of proposals which "fully reinforces ours and vice versa". But the US document will not be made public. "Diplomacy has the best chance to succeed if we provide space for confidential talks," the Secretary of State said. Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance's document had also been delivered to Moscow, and while he was willing to listen to Russia's concerns, all nations had the right to choose their own security arrangements. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, however, said earlier on Wednesday that Mr Stoltenberg had "lost touch with reality", when asked about Nato boosting its presence near Russia's borders. "You know, I stopped taking any view of his statements a long time ago," Mr Lavrov told the press in Russian parliament, which were broadcast live on social media. Separately, diplomats from Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany reaffirmed a commitment to the long-standing ceasefire agreement in Ukraine, which had seen Russia-backed rebels seize territory in the eastern Donbas region. All four nations continue to support the ceasefire "regardless of differences on other issues" related to the 2015 Minsk agreements, a statement published by the French presidency said. The Kremlin's deputy chief of staff Dmitri Kozak characterised the eight-hour talks in Paris as "not simple", and the group is due to meet again in two weeks in Berlin. Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba told reporters on Thursday that the Russian decision to come to talks in Berlin was "good news", as it means that "Russia for the next two weeks is likely to remain on the diplomatic track". Journalist: Mo7damer

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https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/ecuador/gobierno-planifica-la-colocacion-de-tapones-en-los-tuneles-y-galerias-en-zaruma-nota/ The regime raises the need for new reforms to the Mining Law to control the use of mercury in illegal mining. Two houses collapsed by sinkhole in Zaruma on December 15, 2021. Freddy macas The remediation plan for the urban area of Zaruma includes the construction and placement of concrete plugs in the existing tunnels and galleries in the city to prevent the entry of illegal miners, revealed the Minister of Energy and Non-Renewable Resources, Juan Carlos Bermeo. Caps that will have a dimension of 3.60 square meters, with a thickness of one meter. The official appeared before the Biodiversity Commission of the National Assembly and said that on the mining issue in Zaruma there is a lot of scattered information, so it is necessary to compile everything that exists around this problem. On the other hand, the Minister of Government, Alexandra Vela, spoke of the need for reforms to the Mining Law for the illicit exploration of mineral materials, the illicit use of these, the possession and transport of mercury, sanctions against public servants that allow this type of activities and the financing and supply of machinery for illegal activities. The tunnels in Zaruma have been known since 1993, according to sectional authorities According to Bermeo, before placing the plugs it is necessary to have technical studies on the quality of the soil, since the city's problem is that there are enormous depths, it is said that there would be galleries ranging from 120 to 180 meters deep that It would be necessary to fill and in other cases plug to prevent the entry of illegal miners. And as if to get an idea of the depth, added the secretary, it is like putting two football stadiums one above the other in depth. Juan Carlos Bermeo indicated that one of the solutions that would be applied is the construction of reinforced concrete plugs to prevent the entry of illegal miners, and the first one being built is 3.60 meters wide by 3.60 meters high, at a thickness of one meter, it is almost like a bunker to be laid, he said. He announced that until March 2022 the ministry under his charge will develop a technological tool, with financing from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for $ 57 million, which will allow control of the management of mining titles that must be granted in a modern way. , agile and above all avoid mani[CENSORED]tion and interference in the mining cadastre. All this process will lead to granting permits for the operation of artisanal mining. Mining reforms The Minister of Government, Alexandra Vela, proposed to the National Assembly a coordinated work to face the illegal mining issue, and for this she said that work must be done on reforms to the Mining Law, in order to provide greater instruments to carry out an effective control in protected areas. In addition, he said that reforms are needed to control the use of mercury in illegal mining activity, because at the moment there are no regulations that allow the Government to act. If some of these legal provisions can be introduced within the reform process, Vela added, preventive and even health-related actions can be taken, because the use of mercury by illegal miners causes it to accumulate in the human body. and there is no possibility of reversing it, it ends up poisoning the person when it reaches the limit. He raised the need for a dialogue with the Legislature to carry out reforms to the Mining Law that would allow better control over money laundering, the illicit exploration of mineral materials, the illicit exploitation of minerals, the possession and transportation of mercury , sanctions to public servants that allow this type of activities and the financing and supply of machinery for illegal activities. He said that at the moment the evaluation of what was done in the course of the year is being carried out, but that it was detected that the phenomenon of illegal mining extends throughout the country and is becoming more and more important within activities of an illegal nature. , since this activity is transformed through related crimes and with links in some cases of money laundering that come from drug trafficking and an activity of a criminal nature. These actions should be attacked immediately, he said. Vela commented that the country needs to carry out mining activities, but this must have limits and cannot be carried out in protected areas, nor can it be carried out within the limits of protection areas. Mining concessions Throughout the country there are 5,999 mining concessions, of which 51% correspond to artisanal mining, 25% to small mining, 14% to industrial mining and 12% is free, according to official information presented by the Ministry of Government to the Biodiversity Commission. The operations against illegal mining at the national level in 2021 determined the apprehension of offenders, the dismantling of criminal organizations dedicated to this crime and the impact on their logistics, in coordination with the competent authorities. 19 criminal groups were dismantled, there were 197 arrests, 23 firearms, 2,051 explosives and 338 ammunition were seized, 258 tons of mineralized material, 113 operations were carried out against illegal mining. In 2021, it was increased to 110 police officers specialized in mining crimes. The operations against illegal mining at the national level in 2021 determined the apprehension of offenders, the dismantling of criminal organizations dedicated to this crime and the impact on their logistics, in coordination with the competent authorities. 19 criminal groups were dismantled, there were 197 arrests, 23 firearms, 2,051 explosives and 338 ammunition were seized, 258 tons of mineralized material, 113 operations were carried out against illegal mining. In 2021, it was increased to 110 police officers specialized in mining crimes. The legislative board will call again the Government, Environment and Energy officials, to continue with the inspection process regarding the remediation actions in the Zaruma canton. (I)

https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/fitness/evening-time-exercise-ayurveda-benefits-tips-7464582/ "You may find it hard to wake up in the morning or struggle to sleep early at night, but workout in the evening is not for you," ayurvedic practitioner Dr Varalakshmi Yanamandra said When is a good time to exercise? (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock) Many people, owing to their hectic morning schedule, prefer to exercise in the evening or even late at night. But is evening the ideal time to exercise? According to Ayurveda, it is not, and may not suit everyone, said Dr Varalakshmi Yanamandra. “Ayurveda considers evenings as a time to rest and relax and says that evening workouts aren’t ideal and may not suit everyone,” the expert said in an Instagram post. “If you find it hard to wake up in the morning or struggle to sleep early at night — workout in the evening is not for you,” she said. Any movement stimulates vata, and exercise is particularly a vata-provoking activity, she said, adding that doing so can disturb one’s dosha. “Night, by nature, is a dominant phase and exercising late evening can increase vata and disrupt sleep cycles,” she continued. What if one can only work out in the evening? Any movement is better than no movement at all. But ensure you follow some tips, Dr Varalakshmi said. *Apply warm oil to your body beforehand.. *Choose mild or moderate exercise. *Sip a warm herbal tea afterward. *Leave a gap of at least two hours between your sleep and exercise. *Discontinue if your sleep or mood are affected. 📣 For more lifestyle news, follow us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook and don’t miss out on the latest updates!

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-59896771 Fans of tennis legend Novak Djokovic have gathered outside the player's hotel to voice their support World number one men's tennis player Novak Djokovic should be deported from Australia if he has not told the truth about his exemption from vaccination rules, the deputy prime minister says. Barnaby Joyce told the BBC that rich people "can't wander around the world thinking... they are above the laws". Djokovic, who had travelled to play in the Australian Open, is in immigration detention after his entry was denied. A court will decide on whether he should be deported on Monday. The 34-year-old Serbian player, who has said he is opposed to vaccination, had been granted a medical exemption to play in the tournament in Melbourne for unspecified reasons, a decision that infuriated many Australians. The exemption was given by two independent medical panels organised by Tennis Australia, the body that runs the event, and Victoria state, tournament organisers said. But on Wednesday, Australian Border Force (ABF) officials said Djokovic had "failed to provide appropriate evidence" for entry after arriving from Dubai. He is being held at a hotel used for immigration detention in a Melbourne suburb. "If he hasn't filled out the forms appropriately then he's taking the sovereign capacity of another nation for a joke," Mr Joyce told the BBC's Newshour programme. "100% someone's made a mistake and if he hasn't told the truth then the person who's made the mistake is Mr Djokovic." He added: "You can't just wander around the world thinking that because you're really rich you're really above the laws of other nations." Djokovic's team challenged ABF's decision, and a hearing at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has been scheduled for Monday. It is not yet clear whether Djokovic will remain in the same hotel until then. Earlier, Prime Minister Scott Morrison denied Djokovic was being singled out and said no-one was above the country's rules. Though Djokovic's reason for an exemption has not been disclosed, Mr Morrison said contracting Covid-19 in the past six months was not among federal criteria for one. Mr Morrison had initially said he accepted the Victorian government's decision to grant Djokovic and other tennis players medical exemptions. He is now being accused of politicising the issue amid the huge public backlash. The prime minister himself is under pressure amid the surge of Covid-19 infections in the country, and a federal election is scheduled for May The row prompted Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to say Djokovic was a victim of "harassment" and that "the whole of Serbia" supported him. Mr Morrison denied the visa cancellation was because of "any particular position in relation to Serbia". The player's father, Srdjan, said his son had been held in a room guarded by police at the airport. "This is not just a fight for Novak, but a fight for the whole world," he said in a statement. For hours, Novak Djokovic's supporters made their way outside the Melbourne quarantine hotel where he's believed to be staying, many from the Serbian community here. The strength of feeling was palpable as songs about freedom played and some danced. "This is a disgrace," Kristina told me, draped in the Serbian flag. "I'm ashamed to be an Australian today. If he's not playing - I'm not going." Jelena wore a white cap with Djokovic's signature that she got two years ago when he was here for the tournament. She carries a sign that says "Thank you". "He represents a connection to my home country. The Australian government needs to fix this mess. It's an international scandal and the world is watching," Jelena said, her disappointment that he may not be competing evident. Djokovic has landed in the middle of a controversy that's gone beyond tennis and is now at the heart of a political tussle - between the state and the federal authorities. And while the player and his legal team wait for the court hearing to resume on Monday, anger and confusion are the overarching sentiments here - whether from those who say he shouldn't have been allowed in or those furious at the thought of him being deported. The world number one has dominated the Australian Open, winning it nine times. But his attempt to defend his title and go for a 10th may be over before the tournament begins. 2px presentational grey line Spanish tennis start Rafael Nadal, who is in Melbourne to prepare for the tournament, said it was "normal" for Australians to get "very frustrated with the case". "The only for me clear thing is if you are vaccinated, you can play in the Australian Open," he said, adding: "Of course after a lot of people had been dying for two years, my feeling is [that] the vaccine is the only way to stop this pandemic." But former Australian Open tournament director Paul McNamee told local media the visa U-turn was unprecedented, saying it "smells" of politics. Two other players were now having their medical exemptions reviewed, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. Mr Morrison said the ABF had previously advised Tennis Australia on visa expectations. The Australian Open begins on 17 January. Djokovic has previously won the tournament nine times.

https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/economia/cinco-consejos-financieros-para-empezar-el-2022-nota/ Start the year for financial purposes. View of dollar bills, in a stock photo. EFE / Sebastiao Moreira Photo: EFE New resolutions, new goals and a new beginning, that is what many people long for and want a new year to represent. This 2021 is no exception and provides the opportunity to reorganize our finances in addition to projecting personal goals. As with other proposals (go to the gym during the year), the financial aspect can be difficult to meet and maintain 365 days. One of the keys to not falling behind in the goal is the perseverance and determination that you have to achieve it, as well as the desire for it to arrive. In this situation there are several financial keys that you can take into account to start this new year: Have a budget detailing the monthly income and expenses: One of the keys to having stable finances is having a detailed and real budget. Save part of what you enter: Avoid spending all your income and allocate a percentage for savings, in this way you can invest it in various products that generate interest. Reduce unnecessary expenses: Sometimes there are expenses that we can do without, analyze what these are and avoid them, in this way you can have a savings fund. Define objectives in different time frames: One of the mistakes that you always tend to make is to generate long-term goals, which in a certain time seem impossible to reach. It is important to take small steps towards that great objective, therefore, propose short, medium and long term goals simultaneously. Reduce your debts: The longer a debt remains, the more interest you will be charged, so it is important to reduce them as soon as possible. One of the strategies is to cover the smallest debts and then allocate the same amount to pay the largest ones. (I)

https://www.soymotero.net/prueba-mitt-125-gt-max-2022 The MITT firm is fully established in Spain by Jets Marivent. After the presentation of its already large range in Portugal, we have the opportunity to test the MITT 125 GT-MAX, which also aims to seduce B drivers with the weapons of practicality In the MITT catalog there are up to 16 scooters and motorcycles that comply with the Euro 5 standard, in the 50, 125 and 300cc displacement. This indicates the seriousness with which the brand is established in our country, seeking to satisfy the needs of those who seek the best price without sacrificing quality and design. The scooter we tested today, the MITT 125 GT-MAX , goes on sale next January 15 for € 3,195 with equipment designed to convince those who consider buying a scooter from the seat of their car. 125cc scooter sales are skyrocketing, partly due to the obvious functionality that those of us who ride motorcycles already know, partly because the motorcycle is the cheapest alternative to public transport and that, in times of pandemic, is an advantage. At MITT they are aware of the moment and have opted for a GT, that is, Gran Turismo. Now only the name drinks from the automotive world. For concept and price it is difficult to find rivals, but there are. The Daelim XQ 1 125 (€ 3,295) is one of them, although within the same brand we can find an even cheaper GT like the MITT 125 GTS (€ 2,595), but it is one notch below. The best-selling Honda PCX 125 (€ 3,150) is the rival to beat, along with the Yamaha Nmax 125 (€ 3,349), but perhaps they fall into the category of GT “light”. The well-equipped SYM Joymax Z + 125 (€ 4,199) is a bit above the price. The design of the scooter is in line with that of its rivals and does not resort to copying elements from other brands (perhaps in the name). Surrounding the headlamps are LEDs that draw an unmistakable cross from the rear-view mirror of the vehicle preceding it: first and foremost, visibility. FEATURES AND EQUIPMENT OF THE MITT 125 GT-MAX 2022 The engine is a 125cc single-cylinder, water-cooled, EFI injection-fed (from Delphi Systems). The power figure is not exactly to scare, 11 hp at 8,000 rpm, but it moves the set smoothly and without vibrations. The torque is 10.5 Nm at 6,500 rpm. The 11: 1 compression ratio reveals that the engine is not running excessively tight. The chassis uses the steel tube, but the weight on the scale is not high, 145 kilos dry, in line with its potential rivals. The wheelbase is quite large, specifically 1,540mm, which is 15mm more than a Honda NC750X, a motorcycle considered rather long. This determines its behavior in a good way, since stability is total on the straights, while the combination of the front wheel of 14 'at the front and 13' at the rear allows changes of direction without apparent effort. Another thing is the rattling between cars, because although the angle of rotation is good, the scooter is still long and, like a good GT, also wide. The seat height is only 805mm, but the platform is wide and forces you to arch your legs. With my 1.78 it is not a problem, maybe for heights less than 170 cm. What is very well resolved is the easel, for which you hardly have to make any effort. If your laziness is maximum, there is also kickstand. Braking uses two discs assisted by an integral CBS braking system for wheels fitted with CST tires as standard. The equipment is very complete in order to attract car users. The first surprise when looking at the scooter is that under the handlebar there is a screen. At first I thought it was absurd because you can't see it going, until I realized that it was the radio! Yes, it has an FM radio with 4 buttons on each side of the screen, which you can also connect via Bluetooth with your mobile to listen to your own music or Podcast. Obviously it cannot be operated while on the go, so it is under the handlebars. At stops between traffic lights you can change stations or change the volume. Two speakers on each side of the shield are pointed towards you and if you turn up the volume enough, you can listen to music at 50 km / h, but as soon as you stop, it is not very discreet. On the left is a glove compartment with a somewhat peculiar twist-latch closure inside which is a USB socket for charging your devices. Above the handlebar there is an LCD screen with just the right information (odometer, fuel, voltage and clock) that is between two analog clocks for speed and revolutions per minute respectively. The lighting is Full LED, the levers are adjustable and the fuel is loaded between the legs, behind a hatch with a key lock. The seat lifts after opening it with the ignition key. The operation is not intuitive and until you get the hang of it (which it has), a bit irritating. The seat is kept elevated by means of a hydraulic piston to show a hole that admits a full-face helmet (in a certain position) and a little more forward of it. It is not the best hole in the world, but not the worst either. For higher load needs there are always the trunks of the auxiliary industry. The first approximation when going to start is surprising, because the closure of the clausor is in a very horizontal position. To prevent water from entering the lock, it has a small yellow button, which operates a lid and prevents its passage. In order to open this cover, it is necessary to use the back of the key, with a characteristic shape that releases the mechanism and shows the lock. A bit cumbersome if you are in a hurry. As soon as you start up, the total absence of vibrations is surprising. Lowering the motorcycle from the stand is very simple, but even if I repeat myself, no more than raising it. The feeling to the touch of the scooter and its controls is good and the same thing happens when running. The adoption of the Euro 5 standard has greatly softened the start of the scooter and this scooter is a bit lazy in the start, no doubt due to the combination of 11 HP to move the more than 200 kilos of the scooter and its driver. Once 40 km / h have been reached, things go more smoothly. The unit tested was very new and the engine was not quite loose, but I could glimpse 100 km / h on the scoreboard. Between curves and roundabouts, it responds much better than you would expect from a scooter this long, which, added to the good workmanship of the CST wheels, allows for a lot of tumbling. The ground clearance makes it almost impossible to rub against the exhaust or the bodywork. The brakes work very well. Curiously, it sinks more in front when operating the left lever than with the right, the result of the CBS system. In any case, I felt very comfortable braking with both levers at the same time Ride comfort is the main feature of this scooter. The posture is very natural, but the feet do not have many options to stay: only one position, but yes, good. The driver's seat has much appreciated lumbar support and the hands are at the right distance. The screen does not protect much and although it is very long, it is also very flat and does not offer any type of regulation. The head is out of reach. The passenger has a lot of room in the seat and to hold on, but not so much to support the feet. It is the same as with the pilot: the feet only have a place to lean, but it is also small and uncomfortable. I did not get to carry a passenger, but he would have complained (I tested his seat and posture), but given the power of the engine, carrying a passenger should be occasional. Radio may sound snobbish, but I ended up listening to it every day that I used the scooter. It is not easy to operate the buttons with gloves, because wearing them tends to push the buttons with more force than necessary. It is advisable to choose the station and volume before starting the journey. If this is going to be on express roads (or bypass, like the M 30), you have to anticipate at what speed you will ride so as not to try to adjust the volume with gloves on and on the go. Once accustomed to the operation, using the radio becomes customary and the looks at traffic lights, which are usually to find the origin of the sound source, no longer matter. It's so much fun putting on a poker face like it's not you. The MITT 125 GT-MAX arrives in Spain wanting to fight. Arguments have to achieve it. If you are looking for a practical and well-equipped scooter for little money, this is a serious option to consider. The ergonomics are very well thought out and it has details from the automotive world that are nods to fishing in that fishing ground. Smoothness, stability and music. A declaration of intentions. The sports dimension is not his priority, nor is it his ambition; for that there are other options on the market. Premium Comfort at a low price (€ 3,195) is a very good combination to make yourself known in the market. If MITT also gives you basic insurance for the first year, isn't it starting to seduce you?

https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/destination-of-the-week/emily-in-paris-and-the-city-i-thought-was-mine-7699955/ I’d lived in Paris, knew my way around French culture and French men (I’d just married one). I’d postured as some sophisticate with better taste than the millions who come through each year. And here was Emily, in one of her stupid outfits, at my cafe I still have the text message saved from my best friend here that arrived last October with the urgency of a high-speed TGV train. It just said “omg,” with seven additional G’s, and preceded a screenshot of American actor Lily Collins sitting at the Café de la Nouvelle Mairie in the 5th Arrondissement of Paris: my go-to cafe in the city, with the best sausage and lentils at lunch and a view onto an obscure little square behind the Panthéon. “You are all over the show,” my friend texted me, and for weeks after I endured brutal mockery that my Parisian bolt-hole was about to become a tourist site, like Carrie Bradshaw’s brownstone or the Harry Potter train station platform. I’d lived in Paris, knew my way around French culture and French men (I’d just married one). I’d postured as some sophisticate with better taste than the millions who come through each year. And here was Emily, in one of her stupid outfits, at my cafe. Shame seemed to be a common reaction to “Emily in Paris,” which became the hate-watch par excellence of Pandemic Year One and whose second season arrives Wednesday on Netflix with le nouveau variant omicron. That this show was even renewed for a second season may surprise you, if you are in the dwindling number that still thinks critical opprobrium and public nausea can triumph over streaming algorithmic logic. Netflix says that “Emily in Paris” was its most po[CENSORED]r comedy series of 2020, and the show even netted a Golden Globe nomination for best comedy (after more than 30 members of the famously scrupulous Hollywood Foreign Press Association came here on a five-star “Emily” junket). It’s worth being precise about its appeal, for “Emily in Paris” is not trash TV, not some “Real Housewives of Île-de-France.” It’s not even Champagne-soaked enough to be escapist, in the manner of a “Big Little Lies” or “Gossip Girl.” It’s something newer and weirder than those: as insubstantial as a gluten-free meringue from the Bon Marché food hall, so whisper-thin it almost asks you not to watch it, at least not without your phone in your hand. In this, I have to say, it feels like a breakthrough, though perhaps in the sense that a coronavirus infection can be a breakthrough. When we left Emily in my beloved Place de l’Éstrapade (or the Place Emily, as I now call it) at the end of season one, our Chicagoan heroine was at a romantic crossroads. Gabriel (Lucas Bravo), her chef neighbor whom she finally slept with, has decided to stay in Paris and open his own restaurant — filmed not at Nouvelle Mairie, thank God, but an Italian spot across the square. This makes things difficult for Emily’s friendship with Camille (Camille Razat), Gabriel’s girlfriend; it also muddies the waters with Emily’s current beau, though if you can remember his name is Mathieu, you are really ahead of me. ALSO READ |Watch: Paris Hilton and Carter Reum’s ‘special’ holiday season honeymoon I’d watched all 10 episodes of the first season — let’s say 2020 was a difficult year and leave it there — and yet I remembered essentially none of these details, which washed over me with the same fleeting impact as an Instagram reel. I still had some vague, pleasant memories of Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu), Emily’s boss and the only character here I would ever have a two-hour lunch with (at L’Astrance, and on expenses). The second season has familiar comforts. Emily and her colleagues at the marketing firm are still putting out half-serious ad campaigns, and the product placements are still schmeared as thickly as foie gras on pain d’épice. There are the same archaic, would-they-were-true clichés of Parisian savoir faire: Sylvie smokes in the office, has a husband and a lover, and swears by a magic leek soup for weight loss that you may remember from “Oprah” circa 2005. Emily’s outfits are still unspeakable: a highlighter-green blazer worn with violet motorcycle gloves! A heart-festooned house dress worn with a pink overcoat and bandeau! A blue lace bustier — a one-sleeved blue lace bustier — that’s somehow classed as work-appropriate! It’s as if Darren Star, creator of both “Sex and the City” and this show, had replaced the costume designers with a low-level machine learning algorithm that spat out this glitchy Carrie clone. I have friends who say they watch idiotic television like this to “turn their brains off,” but I had the opposite sensation: My brain was so untaxed it started working overtime. When I wasn’t scrolling on my phone, I found myself involuntarily writing new episodes that could bring a little real Paris into the Place Emily. After an hour they just started writing themselves: Emily mistypes an address in her taxi app, and ends up at an Éric Zemmour rally. Emily’s best friend from Dubai visits, but her head scarf causes a commotion at Savoir … But Paris, in “Emily in Paris,” is less a city than a series of convertible backdrops. Lunch at the Café Marly at the Louvre. Coffee on the roof of Galeries Lafayette. Drinks at the bar of the Lutetia Hotel. Above all there is the Place Emily, the perfect little left-bank hideaway, where our American takes over my square for her own private dinner party. To film in the area, Le Monde reported this summer that Netflix closed seven streets. “They think they bought the whole neighborhood,” complained a local who lived next to Gabriel’s restaurant — though the square’s baker appreciated the compensation that meant “I don’t have to make a single baguette.” It’s always sunny in the Place Emily, though the show’s director of photography seems to have trained at the Dolly Parton School of Cinematography: It takes a lot of money to make Paris look this cheap. At least there was some realistic glamour in “The Devil Wears Prada,” with Anne Hathaway chucking her T-Mobile Sidekick into the fountain at an overcast Place de la Concorde. Whereas “Emily in Paris” comes close to being an Instagram feed itself: a gently flowing stream of vaguely familiar personages in vaguely familiar settings, the outfits color-blocked, the light settings tweaked, with no great developments to report. Is “Emily in Paris” in fact an anamorphic projection of @emilyinparis, Emily’s Instagram account, into moving pictures? That’d explain the total lack of effect 20 episodes of this streaming blancmange have had on me, and how little I care that Emily never gets stuck on the RER or waits in line for a visa renewal. For compared to “Sex and the City” and “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Emily in Paris” might as well be cinéma vérité, insofar as it shows us the vapidity of the smartphone biographies we all keep compulsively authoring. Some days I wonder if it’s better just to accept that: accept the tragic triumph of Emilyism, accept the basicness that has enveloped us all, rather than make a pitiful last stand for an unmediated life. What else is there to be done? Insist to your friends (and followers) that Netflix’s Paris is a sham, that you alone have discovered the real city? Is this not the most Emily move of all? On Monday morning, jet-lagged, under a classically Parisian gray sky that no Netflix director would allow, I slouched into my favorite corner of the Café de la Nouvelle Mairie. I had endured various small humiliations, the likes of which Emily will never know: a two-hour wait for an antigen test; a delayed flight; bumper-to-bumper traffic on the ring road; an older man, nursing what was not his first white wine of the day, coughing his lungs out at the table next to mine. The day was cold, the virus was circulating, but the Place Emily was still here. With my air of American possessiveness I felt I was back home, and so I pulled out my phone, angled it so the gray cobblestones looked just right, and took a picture. Emily, c’est moi.