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The Word Bag
In the course of sorting my mother’s things a few years ago, I held out hope of finding a different sort of treasure. She had a mountain of costume jewelry that was mingled with a few interesting pieces, and she had some peculiar collections, like an embarrassment of Smithsonian replicas, but they were just in the way. What I was looking for was my grandfather’s stories. [The mailman grandfather,…
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Never leave me alone with a doll and a knife
Anyway I did this as an experiment because I was curious plus her body was broken and I wasn’t feeling this daniela’s makeup, so if I ruined her, I wouldn’t feel too bad. I like her more with the side eye tho she still might get a repaint some day.
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Penerbitan Surat Paksa dalam Penagihan Utang Kepabeanan dan Cukai: Prosedur Lengkap dan Konsekuensinya
Penerbitan Surat Paksa dalam Penagihan Utang Kepabeanan dan Cukai: Prosedur Lengkap dan Konsekuensinya
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Conspiracy of Love
MIRACLE MOMENT®
“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” Hamilton Wright Mabie (1846–1916).
StarStyle® Empowerment is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/p/conspiracy-of-love
A MESSAGE from Founder/Director, CYNTHIA BRIAN
In the midst of…
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Conspiracy of Love
MIRACLE MOMENT®
“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” Hamilton Wright Mabie (1846–1916).
StarStyle® Empowerment is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/p/conspiracy-of-love
A MESSAGE from Founder/Director, CYNTHIA BRIAN
In the midst of winter, February is perceived as a bleak and boring month. However, February honors more cultural celebrations than any other month. It starts with Groundhog Day, predicting future weather. With Valentine’s Day, February commemorates love and romance. Focusing on our hearts, it is also American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness of heart disease. This year, the world enjoyed the excitement of the Winter Olympics together. Our Presidents Washington and Lincoln are celebrated in February, as is social reformer and abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who launched Black History Month. Sports fans were glued to the TV on Super Bowl Sunday, and the lion dancers performed for the Lunar New Year Spring Festival in this year of the Horse. Lunar New Year encompasses celebrations in multiple countries, recognizing Korea, Vietnam, Tibet, and China. Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras in French, is Carnival all over the world. Years ago, I spent Mardi Gras in Nice, France, which was a wild, crazy experience. The evening of Carnival on February 17 began the Muslim observance of Ramadan, which is a holy month of fasting. It coincides this year with the Christian Ash Wednesday on February 18, which is the beginning of 40 days of fasting, almsgiving, and prayer, symbolizing Jesus Christ’s reflection in the desert. World Understanding and Peace Day is recognized on February 23rd, and the United Nations observes World Interfaith Harmony during the first week of the month. February is filled with numerous other observations, including fun “National Days”, like Youth Leadership Month or Great American Pie Month.
In other words, February brings global awareness to cultures, customs, and celebrations. This is an opportunity for us to embrace empathy, open our hearts, and love our neighbors.
Let’s engage the whole world in this conspiracy of love.
Celebrate living as one world. We are all on the same team!
With gratitude,
Cynthia Brian
Founder/Executive Director
Be the Star You Are!®
PO Box 376
Moraga, California 94556
Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity | empowering youth | PO Box 376, Moraga, California 94556
Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity | empowering youth | PO Box 376, Moraga, California 94556
DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
DONATE: https://givebutter.com/BTSYA
FINDING THE QUIET IN CHAOS
by Cate Taylor
February always feels like that weird middle ground where winter is dragging on, but things are starting to shift. Most people get caught up in the big, flashy versions of Valentine’s Day, but I think the real “love” we need right now is a bit more grounded. It’s about more than just candy or cards; it’s about actually being there for each other. Between the stress of college apps and everything else going on, just being a decent person to someone who’s struggling makes a massive difference.
To me, peace isn’t some huge, unreachable goal—it’s just the energy we bring to the hallways every day. It’s choosing to be chill when things get tense or reaching out to someone who’s been quiet lately. If we focus on just being a little more patient and kind, we can actually build a community that feels safe for everyone. Let’s make this month about more than just the hype.
Cate Taylor is a high school senior who’s passionate about mental health awareness and keeping things real. When they aren’t finishing up graduation requirements, they’re usually found looking for the best local coffee spot or hanging out with friends.
IMPORTANCE OF LOVE
by Gowri Kamatchi
Love comes in many forms, and each one plays an important role in our lives. Family love gives us support and a sense of belonging. It’s often the first kind of love we experience, teaching us care and trust. Friendship love brings fun, loyalty, and understanding, helping us feel accepted for who we are. Romantic love adds excitement and emotional connection, reminding us how deeply people can care for one another.
There is also self-love, which is just as important. It helps us set boundaries, respect ourselves, and grow with confidence. All these types of love work together to shape who we are and how we treat others, creating healthier relationships and a stronger sense of self.
Love doesn’t have to be perfect to matter. What’s important is the effort, kindness, and care behind it, because even small actions can make someone feel truly valued.
Gowri Kamatchi is a 16-year-old high school junior who is a content creator volunteer with Be the Star You Are!® She has a deep interest in global issues, journalism, climate policies, and paleontology. Her hobbies are reading, listening to music, and rollerblading!
HELP FEED CHILDREN IN MINNESOTA
Our Kindness Coordinator, Karen Kitchel, lives and volunteers in Minnesota. With the latest upheaval due to ICE raids, many children are not going to school and therefore are not receiving any meals. Karen has been creating gift bags and posted this:
Help Support Students and Families - Scattering Kindness
BOOKS FOR KIDS
Here’s an email we received about our children’s books from a reader.
“I had the opportunity to review Flap Forward! Fly Free!, and I must commend the warmth, authenticity, and purpose woven into this story. Drawing inspiration from real-life animal rescue experiences gives the narrative a genuine emotional core, while the themes of courage, cooperation, and community make it deeply relatable for young readers.
What stands out especially is how this book extends beyond a single story. As part of Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures, it reinforces consistent, meaningful lessons, kindness, inclusion, individuality, and compassion, brought to life through vibrant watercolor illustrations. The message encouraging children to ask for help and rely on a supportive community is both timely and powerful. Thank you! M.A.”
If you are looking for inspirational books for children that are beautifully illustrated, find information and buy autographed copies with extra goodies with proceeds going to Be the Star You Are!®
OUR RADIO BROADCASTS INSPIRE AND COMMUNICATE
Every week, under the auspices of Be the Star You Are!® charity and produced by StarStyle® Productions, LLC, listeners are encouraged and inspired on our two international radio broadcasts, StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® and Express Yourself™ Teen Radio. StarStyle® is a lifestyle program that brings information and innovative ideas to help with daily living. Express Yourself!™ is hosted by teens, for teens, with discussions about everything and anything that interests youth today. Both programs are unedited, uncensored, and unapologetically authentic.
Listen to all Express Yourself!™ Teen shows at https://sites.libsyn.com/560220
Listen to StarStyle®-Be the STAR You Are!® shows: https://sites.libsyn.com/556617
Listen to our new song, “Youth are our Future…They are our today!”
ABOUT BE THE STAR YOU ARE!®
Be the Star You Are!® is an all-volunteer organization that operates through contributions, in-kind donations, and proceeds from fundraising events. Be the Star You Are!® does not receive state or federal funding and is solely dependent on contributions from the community and corporations. Be the Star You Are!® is consistently honored as a TOP NON-PROFIT by Guidestar/Candid and Great Non-Profits.
Be the Star You Are!® supports all ethnicities and has no religious or political agendas or affiliations. Be the Star You Are!® is proud to have been serving the community, country, and world since 1999.
DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
DONATE: https://givebutter.com/BTSYA
Share your love of cultures, customs, and CELEBRATE LIVING!
StarStyle® Empowerment is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/p/conspiracy-of-love
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PER-21/BC/2025: Perubahan Kedua Tata Laksana Tempat Penimbunan Berikat (TPB) yang Dioptimalkan
PER-21/BC/2025: Perubahan Kedua Tata Laksana Tempat Penimbunan Berikat (TPB) yang Dioptimalkan
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Customs denies manipulating FX rates, cites CBN authority
✨ Breaking News: Customs denies manipulating FX rates, cites CBN authority
📰 Check out the details:
The Nigeria Customs Service has firmly denied claims that it manipulates foreign exchange rates for import and export valuation.
The service says it neither determines, generates nor alters exchange rates applied in customs processing across the country.
In a statement issued in Abuja Monday, its…
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Customs intercepts four live Pangolins in Ogun
✨ Fresh News: Customs intercepts four live Pangolins in Ogun
📰 Discover the details:
The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Ogun 1 Area Command, Idiroko, says it intercepted four live Pangolins, an endangered species, along the Yemoamota-Abule-Igboora axis of the state.
The Deputy Superintendent of NCS, Chado Zakari, who doubles as the Command’s spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement made…
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Hidden Cross-Border Shipping Fees: Customs, Brokerage & Delivery Costs Explained
The “cheap” cross‑border shipment that wasn’t
On paper, your international shipping quote looks amazing.
In reality, your customer gets a surprise bill at the door…or your finance team sees a margin crater they can’t explain.
That gap is almost always hidden customs charges: fees buried in the fine print that most brands don’t discover until it’s too late.
Where hidden customs charges sneak in
Some of the most common “gotchas” include:
- Disbursement and advancement fees when carriers pre‑pay duties/taxes on your behalf.
- Brokerage fees for customs clearance that were never in the original quote.
- Bond, storage, and inspection fees when paperwork isn’t perfect or shipments get flagged.
- Residential surcharges, remote area fees, and extra handling on last‑mile delivery.
- Incorrect HS codes or values that trigger higher duties and retroactive assessments.
Individually, they look small. Across thousands of orders, they quietly erase your profit.
Why this hits DTC and eCom brands hardest
If you’re shipping DTC into the US, Canada, UK, or EU, you’re often:
- Scaling fast, without an in‑house customs expert.
- Relying on carriers or 3PLs to “handle customs,” assuming they’ll optimize for your bottom line.
- Running marketing and pricing based on best‑case landed cost, not actual landed cost.
That’s how “free shipping worldwide” turns into “we’re losing money on every international order.”
What smart brands are doing instead
Operators who’ve been burned once tend to change the way they work:
- They demand landed‑cost clarity: duties, taxes, brokerage, and extras broken out before the shipment moves.
- They standardize HS codes, documentation, and product data to avoid reclassification and audits.
- They decide when to use DDP vs DAP based on AOV, market, and customer expectations.
- They work with logistics partners who are transparent about markups and pass‑through fees.
The result: fewer unpleasant surprises, more predictable gross margin, and happier customers who aren’t being held hostage by a courier at the door.
Before you ship your next order across a border
If you’re:
- Getting unexpected carrier invoices weeks after delivery
- Seeing international orders perform well on revenue but poorly on profit
- Fielding angry tickets from customers asked to pay extra on delivery
…it’s time to audit your cross‑border customs setup and get your hidden charges out in the open.
Rebuild your international strategy around full landed‑cost visibility, not best‑case assumptions. Your finance team—and your customers—will feel the difference.
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“Advancing Trade Facilitation: Automation of Customs Processes and Integration"
“Indirect Tax I Indirect Tax Litigation I Customs & FTP I Central Licensing I Arbitration I Advisory”
Dated: 04.02.2026
“Advancing Trade Facilitation: Automation of Customs Processes and Integration”
Summary: The Government of India, through the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), has introduced significant measures to enhance trade facilitation, transparency, and ease of doing…
“Advancing Trade Facilitation: Automation of Customs Processes and Integration"
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🚢 Key Update: Faster Grant of Entry Inwards at Paradip Port ⚓
To expedite cargo operations, Entry Inwards has been delinked from physical boarding of vessels.
🔹 Entry Inwards granted once the Pilot boards at Pilot Station
🔹 Pilot informs Port Traffic Control Room, which electronically intimates Customs
🔹 Enables immediate cargo discharge after berthing
👉 Vessel/Steamer Agents to inform Customs of vessel arrival with relevant documents
👉 Boarding Officers will complete checks post-berthing and act on any discrepancies
📌 The Public Notice has been widely circulated to KASA, OCBA, Paradip Port Authority, and concerned Customs offices.
📌 Bhubaneswar Customs website to host the notice for wider access and implementation.
A coordinated effort to improve turnaround time and operational efficiency at Paradip Port.
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🆔 Known: Federal CBP Agents who shot Alex Pretti were Jesus Ochoa and Raymundo Gutierrez
Screenshot from a video by ProPublica via Facebook: The scene right before Pretti was killed
Mature Content Warning
After federal agents killed unarmed civilians at recent immigration protests in Minnesota, many officials—and entire government agencies—are still refusing to identify the masked border enforcers who pulled the trigger, but ProPublica discovered the agents’ names in government records.
Ochoa, 43, and Gutierrez, 35, were assigned to a Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) immigration sweep called Operation Metro Surge. Both Border Patrol agents are from South Texas, and were armed and on duty — but masked — in Minneapolis, MN, as part of an enforcement crackdown that drew local protesters and widespread outrage when confrontations turned deadly.
The swarm of faceless law enforcement agents descended on Minnesota cities already crippled by snow and freezing conditions, and raised questions about policies allowing officers to hide their identities.
Alex Pretti’s death came just days after a different immigration agent shot and killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three.
Freedom of speech and of peaceable assembly are guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution in the Bill of Rights.
📲 Read the full article at the URL below, written by J. David McSwane for ProPublica, dated February 1st, 2026.
#TW deaths #TW shootings #TW Alex Pretti #TW Renee Good #TW CBP #TW Customs and Border Patrol #TW shootings #TW immigration #TW Minnesota protests #TW officer-involved shootings #TW police brutality #TW death by cop #TW Donald Trump #TW masked federal agents #TW identities hidden #TW law enforcement #TW police #TW killings
Posted February 2, 2026