fact or fiction
Is it a fact or is it merely fiction? Fact or Fiction explores the lesser known truths in the corporate culture of Journal.
DDP vs DDU vs FOB: Key Shipping Terms Explained (2025 Guide)
Introduction In the fast-changing world of international trade, shipping terms are more than just technical jargon. They define who pays for freight, who handles customs clearance, and when the risk transfers from seller to buyer. Choosing the wrong Incoterm can lead to unexpected fees, customs delays, or even disputes between buyers and sellers.
By charliesamuelabout a year ago in Journal
Top 5 Smart Waste Technologies Making a Difference in 2025
Global cities produce more than 2.2 billion tons of solid waste annually, and this number is projected to reach 3.4 billion tons by 2050 according to the World Bank. In 2025, rapid urbanization and population growth have further increased the pressure on waste management systems. Municipalities and industries are now looking beyond traditional collection methods to smart waste management solutions that use IoT, AI, robotics, and data analytics to reduce inefficiencies and environmental impact.
By William Smithabout a year ago in Journal
From Outsider to Essence
For as long as I can remember, I’ve carried a tension inside me that I couldn’t explain. On the outside, I could talk with people, relate to their stories, share in their laughter, even understand their struggles. And yet, deep down, I always felt… out of sync. As if I was standing half a step outside of the rhythm everyone else seemed to dance to.
By Randolphe Tanoguemabout a year ago in Journal
The Midnight Journal
M Mehran Zoya had never received a gift quite like it. On her 21st birthday, her aunt handed her a small, leather-bound journal with a delicate lock. “It’s no ordinary diary,” her aunt said, eyes glinting mysteriously. “Write in it every night, but beware: it remembers more than you think.” Zoya laughed. “It’s just a notebook.” But that night, curiosity took hold. She opened it and wrote her first entry: “Tonight I stayed up late watching the rain. It smelled like summer.” Nothing happened. She went to sleep, brushing off her aunt’s cryptic warning. --- Chapter Two: The First Dream The following night, Zoya dreamed vividly. She was walking through the streets of her city, but everything was distorted—buildings bent at odd angles, lights flickering, shadows stretching too long. When she woke, she noticed something odd: the journal had a new line written at the bottom of her page, in her handwriting: “The city isn’t what it seems. Watch the streets after midnight.” She froze. She hadn’t written it. --- Chapter Three: The Warning Each night, Zoya wrote, and each morning, the journal added lines she didn’t remember writing. They weren’t always benign—they were warnings: “The window opens on its own.” “Don’t look behind the curtain.” At first, she dismissed it as imagination. But one night, she heard the window click open in her room. Another night, a shadow lingered behind the curtain. The journal was guiding her—or warning her. --- Chapter Four: The Stranger One entry read: “A stranger waits where the lamplight flickers. Speak only if he calls your name.” Zoya had walked past the old streetlamp near her apartment countless times. That evening, curiosity and dread pulled her forward. Under the flickering light, she saw a man in a long coat. He turned, and his voice was a whisper in the wind: “Zoya.” Her heart stopped. She wanted to run, but she remembered the journal. She stood still. “Follow me,” he said. --- Chapter Five: The Library He led her to an abandoned library she had never noticed. Inside, stacks of journals lined the walls—hundreds of them, all similar to hers. Each one glowed faintly. “This is where the journals keep their secrets,” the man said. “Each writer’s life is recorded. Every choice, every fear, every memory—captured in ink.” Zoya realized the journal was more than a notebook. It was alive, a repository of experiences, guiding or warning its owner. --- Chapter Six: The Test The man handed her a new journal, identical to the first. “Write carefully. Some stories are meant to guide you; others… test you.” Zoya hesitated. She wrote: “I am afraid, but I want to understand.” The journal shimmered, then added beneath her words: “Fear is the path to knowing. Keep writing, and the answers come.” That night, she slept peacefully for the first time, though her dreams were strange—a city of moving books, whispers of her own thoughts, and shadows that beckoned. --- Chapter Seven: The Choice Days passed, and Zoya continued to write. The journal began revealing truths she had never confronted: regrets, unspoken feelings, moments she had ignored in her life. One evening, a new line appeared: “Choose: forget, or remember everything. Once you remember, the journal will never release you from its truths.” Zoya paused. Forgetting meant comfort, safety, ignorance. Remembering meant understanding herself fully, facing fears she had long ignored. With trembling hands, she wrote: “I choose to remember.” --- Chapter Eight: The Transformation From that night on, Zoya’s world changed. She remembered every detail of her life, the moments she had buried, the things she had ignored. The journal no longer guided her—it reflected her understanding back at her. She grew wiser, more aware, and strangely free. Though the journal remained at her side, it no longer whispered warnings—it waited for her to write, now in partnership. --- Epilogue: The Keeper Years later, Zoya became the new keeper of journals, guiding others as her aunt had guided her. She placed a leather-bound notebook on the desk of a young girl, much like herself at 21. “Write every night,” she said, with a small smile. “And remember: the journal will show you what you need, even if you aren’t ready for it.” The girl opened it, pen in hand, and the story began again.
By Muhammad Mehranabout a year ago in Journal
Self Assessment for Freelancers: A Complete Filing Guide
Freelancers often navigate a complex landscape of income streams, expenses, and tax obligations. The HMRC Self Assessment system is designed to ensure that all income is reported accurately and taxes are paid on time. Understanding the nuances of the process is essential for avoiding penalties and maintaining financial clarity.
By Self Assessment Tax Returnabout a year ago in Journal
The UK Passport Backup Plan
In an era defined by global volatility—from political shifts to economic uncertainties—the concept of a "backup plan" has evolved beyond savings accounts and insurance policies. For a growing number of British citizens, the ultimate form of security is a second passport. This isn't about rejecting British identity; it's about pragmatically enhancing personal and financial resilience. A UK passport backup plan is increasingly seen not as an exit strategy, but as an essential component of a modern, globalised life.
By KAMRAN AHMADabout a year ago in Journal
Oktoberfest Arrives in the Maldives: A Bavarian-Inspired Buffet
The world’s most famous beer and food festival has traveled far beyond Bavaria. This year, even the Maldives joined the celebration with a special buffet inspired by Oktoberfest traditions. Curated by Italian Executive Chef and Culinary Consultant Cristian Marino, the event brought a Bavarian touch to the tropics.
By Cristian Marinoabout a year ago in Journal
Bogus Sayings
When I was young I would hear the older kids and even some adults quote these bizarre sayings, and I would think they were true. Step on a crack and break your mother’s back. Break a mirror and it’s seven years bad luck. Don’t walk under a ladder or it will bring bad luck. Then of course there is the saying, lightning never strikes the same place twice.
By Mark Gagnonabout a year ago in Journal
