The planned order follows years of campaign promises from President Donald Trump to abolish the department -- something he cannot do without congressional approval. read more
It's been a tumultuous weekend for USAID -- the U.S. Agency for International Development. read more
Canadian border cities were left saddened and angered on Sunday over US President Donald Trump's move to impose steep tariffs, with the mayor of Sarnia, Ontario likening the rift to a "failing marriage." read more
Associate Press writes about the conflicting data readings from the helicopter-airline collision which had no survivors. read more
The Associated Press writes about the way government agencies are reacting to try and comply with the flurry of executive orders comping from President Donald Trump. read more
@#30 ... tRump is a ------ ...
Calm down.
Pres Trump is, imo, a clueless transactional-based bigoted megalomaniac who wants to turn the Country into a dictatorship.
But a ------?
I'd disagree, mostly.
On the other hand, I say "mostly" because of the apparent extreme fascination with the Village People. Back in the day ... well this is what was written...
"YMCA" Village People (late 1970's)
www.superseventies.com
... French composer-producer Jacques Morali came to the United States as the winner of a 20th Century-Fox slogan contest. While in New York, he attended a costume ball at Les Mouches, a gay disco in Greenwich Village. As he gazed around the room, Morali was impressed by all the "macho male stereotypes" portrayed by the party guests. The idea came to him: Why not put together a group of singers and dancers, each one playing a different gay fantasy figure?
Felip Rose, a professional dancer, came that night as an American Indian. He was cast as the first "image." Next came singer Alexander Briley, as the uniformed GI/sailor. Victor Willis, who had been in such Broadway musicals as The Wiz and The River Niger, rounded out the trio as lead singer and lyricist. His role was as the naval commander and part-time policeman.
As all had been recruited from Greenwich Village, Morali decided to call them the Village People.
THE TOP FIVE
Week of February 10, 1979
1. Do Ya Think I'm Sexy
Rod Stewart
2. Y.M.C.A.
Village People
3. Le Freak
Chic
4. A Little More Love
Olivia Newton-John
5. Fire
Pointer Sisters
Their first album, The Village People, was released in 1977 and aimed directly at the gay market. Soon after it hit, auditions were held for three more members. TV actor Randy Jones was hired as a cowboy. Glenn Hughes, a former Brooklyn Battery Tunnel toll collector, came in as a leather-clad biker (a role he played in real life as well, he claimed). And last but not least was David "Scar" Hodo, the muscular construction worker in mirrored shades. A great lover of bizarre stunts, his passion for roller skating while eating fire had landed him on "What's My Line?"
Looking at that differently, if Pres trump so concerned about how he identifies sexually, that he feels the need to be an uder-macho male assaulting women? I suspect that may be a whole different thread upon itself, though. ...
Their first album, The Village People, was released in 1977 and aimed directly at the gay market.
Hmmm ...
@#7
I dunno.
But ...
Why strong regional value chains will be vital to the next chapter of China and Africa's economic relationship (June 2024)
www.cnbcafrica.com
... Over the last 20 years, China has become sub-Saharan Africa's largest bilateral trading partner. Around 20% of the region's exports now go to China and about 16% of Africa's imports come from China, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This amounted to a record $282 billion in total trade volume in 2023. Primary commodities -- metals, mineral products and fuel -- represent about three fifths of Africa's exports to China, while it typically imports Chinese manufactured goods, electronics and machinery.
At the same time, China has also emerged as the largest bilateral creditor to Africa, providing African countries with a new source of infrastructure, mining and energy financing. China's share of total sub-Saharan African external public debt was less than 2% before 2005 but grew to about 17%, or $134 billion, by 2021.
Moreover, Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) has increased significantly over the last two decades. In 2003, the annual FDI flow from China to Africa was approximately $75 million. It peaked at $5 billion in 2022, representing about 4.4% of the region's total FDI. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global development strategy launched in 2013, is the framework for China's FDI directed primarily towards transportation, energy and mining infrastructure. ...
And then there is China ...
China's top diplomat heads to Africa as West's attention dwindles
www.reuters.com
... China's top diplomat began his annual New Year tour of Africa on Sunday, maintaining a 35-year-long tradition, to quietly advance Beijing's already sizeable influence across the resource-rich continent as Europe's presence wanes and America's wavers. ...
@#44 ... you mean like when Biden ignored the Supreme Court multiple times? ...
Got links?
Here's one I found ...
Fact Check: Did Biden Ignore Supreme Court Over Student Loan Forgiveness? (July 2024)
www.newsweek.com
... President Joe Biden's plans to introduce multi-billion dollar student loan forgiveness schemes have faced repeated backlash from Republican opponents and rejection from the Supreme Court.
In 2023, the Court ruled against a plan put forward by Biden's administration, estimated to cost $400 billion, that would have cut up to $20,000 for borrowers.
However, according to Republican Ohio Representative Jim Jordan, the Biden administration has forged ahead, despite the Supreme Court's rejection, ignoring its ruling.
A post on X, formerly Twitter, by Rep. Jim Jordan, on July 2, 2024, viewed 575,100 times, said: "President Biden: No one is above the law.
"Also President Biden: Ignore the Supreme Court and watch me illegally forgive student loans."
It's true that the Biden administration has taken steps to reduce payments for citizens with student debt despite a Supreme Court ruling voting against a much wider plan in June 2023.
However, these new plans do not ignore the ruling by the Supreme Court as they are narrower in scope. ...
@#29 ... Only since the 16th century. ...
Yup.
My question is ... is the current Bitcoin fad similar to the Dutch Tulip mania of the 17th century?
Tulip mania
en.wikipedia.org
... Tulip mania (Dutch: tulpenmanie) was a period during the Dutch Golden Age when contract prices for some bulbs of the recently introduced and fashionable tulip reached extraordinarily high levels. The major acceleration started in 1634 and then dramatically collapsed in February 1637. It is generally considered to have been the first recorded speculative bubble or asset bubble in history.[2] ...
@#48 ... The EO created the agency to disburse the aid. ...
The Executive Branch is obligated to enforce and appoint agents to execute the laws passed by Congress.
Does Pres Trump's EO abide by what was passed by Congress? or is he trying to unilaterally change those laws?