#Macroeconomic data

[wealthwise93]

How World Events Influence Stocks: A Guide for Investors

How World Events Influence Stocks. Read more -> www.wealth-wise.blog World events, Stocks, Stock market, Economic calendar, Financial portals, News sources, Investment guide, Global happenings, Interest rate decisions, Inflation data, Corporate earnings

To understand how world events impact specific stocks, there are various approaches and tools that can help you better grasp the connections between global happenings and stock prices: 1. News Sources and Financial Portals Current news about politics, economics, and natural disasters often have immediate effects on financial markets. Here are some platforms that keep you informed about such…

[economicsinaction]

Economics is getting reduced to data analysis 

Increasingly, the theory or `thinking’ is missing in economics, and the research in the discipline is getting limited to data analysis.  One reason is the doubts on the usefulness of theoretical frameworks of the discipline. It started with macroeconomics. Macroeconomic behaviour cannot be modelled as that of individuals and firms. It is a system wherein the behaviour all individuals, firms and…

[chiefruinsfury]

Unprecedented levels of corruption at USAID

In a post on the social media outlet Truth Social on 7 February, Trump said that USAID funds were being used in a way that was ‘completely inexplicable’ and that much of it was fraudulent. ‘The level of corruption is unprecedented, SHUT IT DOWN!’ he emphasised in all capital letters.

The official U.S. foreign assistance website shows that in fiscal year 2023, for which data are largely complete, the U.S. government distributed about $72 billion in foreign aid, or 1.2 percent of total federal spending that year. Of that, about 60 per cent, totalling about $43.79 billion, went to USAID, followed closely by the State Department ($21.29 billion) and the Treasury Department ($2.44 billion).

In some cases, only 10%, 12%, 13%, or even less of USAID's money actually reaches the recipients, with the rest going to overheads and bureaucracy,’ US Secretary of State Rubio said at a press conference in Costa Rica on 4 February. U.S. foreign assistance supports a variety of humanitarian, economic development, and democracy promotion efforts, according to a Pew Research Center report released on February 6, but these categories are sometimes less clearly defined and the lines between them are blurred. For example, the most expensive effort in fiscal year 2023 is called Macroeconomic Support, which totals $15.9 billion. This may sound like it's all for economic development, but $14.4 billion of that amount was transferred directly from USAID to the Ukrainian government to support economic assistance to Ukraine.

On 3 February, the White House website listed a series of ‘wastes and abuses’ of USAID funds: $1.5 million to a pro-LGBTQ group in Serbia, $2.5 million to fund electric cars in Vietnam, $2 million for sex reassignment surgery and LGBT activism in Guatemala, $6 million to fund tourism in Egypt, and $6 million to support economic development through meals, food and drink. Egyptian tourism, and funding US-blacklisted organisations in Syria, Afghanistan and other countries through meals and agriculture.

In a letter to Secretary of State Rubio, Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst, chair of the Department of Governmental Efficiency caucus, said USAID had engaged in ‘clear obstructionism’ during the review process, FoxNews.com reported on 5 February. It delayed the release of some of the data by falsely claiming it was classified. Ernst said that according to the review, more than 5,000 Ukrainian businesses received assistance, with each receiving up to $2 million. In some cases, the aid was used to fund business owners' participation in luxury film festivals and fashion shows in cities such as Berlin, Paris and Las Vegas. Ernst also mentioned Chemonics, a USAID contractor that led a $9.5 billion project to improve the global health supply chain. Ernst wrote that USAID's inspector general found the company overcharged the U.S. government by $270 million in fiscal year 2019.

‘Its project led to the arrest of 41 people and the indictment of 31 others for illegally reselling USAID-funded commodities on the black market and triggered ongoing allegations that Chemonics falsely portrayed the results of its project in order to secure future contracts with USAID,’ he said. ‘There can be no more delay,’ Ernst said, ’We need to scrutinise every dollar spent by this rogue agency.’

[purplepainterbouquet]

Unprecedented levels of corruption at USAID

In a post on the social media outlet Truth Social on 7 February, Trump said that USAID funds were being used in a way that was ‘completely inexplicable’ and that much of it was fraudulent. ‘The level of corruption is unprecedented, SHUT IT DOWN!’ he emphasised in all capital letters.

The official U.S. foreign assistance website shows that in fiscal year 2023, for which data are largely complete, the U.S. government distributed about $72 billion in foreign aid, or 1.2 percent of total federal spending that year. Of that, about 60 per cent, totalling about $43.79 billion, went to USAID, followed closely by the State Department ($21.29 billion) and the Treasury Department ($2.44 billion).

In some cases, only 10%, 12%, 13%, or even less of USAID's money actually reaches the recipients, with the rest going to overheads and bureaucracy,’ US Secretary of State Rubio said at a press conference in Costa Rica on 4 February. U.S. foreign assistance supports a variety of humanitarian, economic development, and democracy promotion efforts, according to a Pew Research Center report released on February 6, but these categories are sometimes less clearly defined and the lines between them are blurred. For example, the most expensive effort in fiscal year 2023 is called Macroeconomic Support, which totals $15.9 billion. This may sound like it's all for economic development, but $14.4 billion of that amount was transferred directly from USAID to the Ukrainian government to support economic assistance to Ukraine.

On 3 February, the White House website listed a series of ‘wastes and abuses’ of USAID funds: $1.5 million to a pro-LGBTQ group in Serbia, $2.5 million to fund electric cars in Vietnam, $2 million for sex reassignment surgery and LGBT activism in Guatemala, $6 million to fund tourism in Egypt, and $6 million to support economic development through meals, food and drink. Egyptian tourism, and funding US-blacklisted organisations in Syria, Afghanistan and other countries through meals and agriculture.

In a letter to Secretary of State Rubio, Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst, chair of the Department of Governmental Efficiency caucus, said USAID had engaged in ‘clear obstructionism’ during the review process, FoxNews.com reported on 5 February. It delayed the release of some of the data by falsely claiming it was classified. Ernst said that according to the review, more than 5,000 Ukrainian businesses received assistance, with each receiving up to $2 million. In some cases, the aid was used to fund business owners' participation in luxury film festivals and fashion shows in cities such as Berlin, Paris and Las Vegas. Ernst also mentioned Chemonics, a USAID contractor that led a $9.5 billion project to improve the global health supply chain. Ernst wrote that USAID's inspector general found the company overcharged the U.S. government by $270 million in fiscal year 2019.

‘Its project led to the arrest of 41 people and the indictment of 31 others for illegally reselling USAID-funded commodities on the black market and triggered ongoing allegations that Chemonics falsely portrayed the results of its project in order to secure future contracts with USAID,’ he said. ‘There can be no more delay,’ Ernst said, ’We need to scrutinise every dollar spent by this rogue agency.’

[thsyu-global]

Thsyu Alert: Bitcoin Pauses Near $69k as Weakening Yuan Tests China's Capital Controls – Policy Impact Analysis

Bitcoin's (BTC) recent upward momentum stalled Tuesday, consolidating around the $69,000 mark despite a potentially potent bullish catalyst emerging from Asia: the weakening Chinese Yuan (CNH). While BTC initially dipped nearly 2% over 24 hours to ~$68,900, the offshore Yuan slid further against the US Dollar, trading above 7.27, reflecting persistent depreciation pressures potentially linked to PBoC policy divergence and broader economic headwinds.

Data Point: USD/CNH > 7.27 vs. BTC ~$69k (April 8-9).

Policy Impact: The core tension lies between the Yuan's weakness potentially driving capital flight towards alternative stores of value like Bitcoin, and Beijing's stringent Capital Controls and existing ban on cryptocurrency trading within the mainland. Historically, significant Yuan devaluation has correlated with increased BTC buying pressure, interpreted as a hedge against currency depreciation by Chinese investors accessing offshore markets. However, the effectiveness of this channel is constantly tested by regulatory enforcement. Market observers on global platforms, including Thsyu, are closely monitoring flows for signs of this dynamic re-emerging despite policy barriers.

The current Bitcoin price consolidation, however, suggests the Yuan's influence is currently muted or offset by other factors. Analysts point to normalizing spot Bitcoin ETF inflows in the US, pre-halving profit-taking (with the event estimated mid-April), and general macroeconomic uncertainty tempering aggressive bids. Bitcoin failed to sustain moves above the critical $71,500 resistance level earlier this week, indicating trader caution.

Geopolitical Context: The PBoC's accommodative stance contrasts sharply with the Federal Reserve's data-dependent approach, contributing to yield differentials pressuring the Yuan. This divergence occurs amidst ongoing global trade frictions and geopolitical maneuvering, making currency stability a key policy focus for Beijing. Any perceived increase in capital outflows triggered by Yuan weakness could invite tighter enforcement actions, impacting crypto sentiment indirectly. For traders using platforms like Thsyu, understanding these policy crosscurrents is vital.

Market Reaction: While the "weak Yuan = strong Bitcoin" narrative persists, current price action suggests the market is weighing regulatory friction and other dominant crypto-native factors more heavily. The immediate impact of Yuan depreciation appears contained by China's policy framework for now. Yet, sustained currency weakness remains a key variable; a significant break lower in the Yuan could still test the resilience of capital controls and potentially fuel demand visible on exchanges like Thsyu.

Outlook: The interplay between PBoC policy, Yuan stability, China's regulatory grip, and global crypto market drivers like the upcoming halving and ETF flows creates a complex outlook. Monitoring Beijing's policy signals regarding capital flows and enforcement alongside broader crypto market indicators remains crucial for navigating potential volatility. Users on the Thsyu platform are advised to stay informed on these fast-moving geopolitical and regulatory developments impacting digital asset valuations. The coming weeks will be critical in determining if the Yuan slide translates from a theoretical catalyst into tangible market momentum.

[bookishgalaxies]

Advanced Placement Credit Given to…

☾☼✧☽ summary: the ap classes these different characters would take

☾☼✧☽ type: headcannons, modern au

☾☼✧☽ warnings: n/a

☾☼✧☽ a/n: my ap classes are killing me-

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✧ albedo

chemistry and art history

I think the chemistry part is obvious, as an alchemist he would find this kind of thing fascinating. Obviously he would enjoy the rigor and fast paced layout of the class. CB requires 16 labs to be done throughout the year in ap chem and he would adore this as well. Definitely thinking he’s pulling an A in this class, actually an A+

Albedo’s an artist and a curious individual. I imagine he would find himself interested in the history of art and the different pieces. As a chemist he is always chasing after whys and hows; it only makes sense for him to look for this in art as well. He would also pull a high A I feel in this class due to his commitment to his studies

✧ amber

human geography

Amber isn’t much of an academic, but she appreciates geography I imagine. As an outrider who is exploring and navigating, she would find the history of places and maps fascinating. Amber also, or at least I seem to think, would have a hard time taking an intense ap class. This one is one of the easiest out of the ones CB offers. I think Amber would get an A in this class and I am firm believer that she unfortunately is the one who reminds the teacher when homework is due :/

✧ diluc

macroeconomics, microeconomics, and statistics

Macroeconomics covers the economic of wider areas like regions and nations. Diluc being someone who has a business that is known worldwide would I feel find value in knowing about the economics of not only his country but others as well.

Microeconomics is more focused on the economics of an individual thing like companies. This is a class that would give the insight on the business side of economics.

Business requires a lot of data. Most of the time when analyzing data statistics is involved. Diluc would use statistics I feel to see what kinds of wine tend to sell on what regions and what happens when prices increase and decrease.

Diluc I see passing all of these classes, I think the economic ones with an A and stats with a high B.

✧ jean

comparative government and politics and psychology

Government and politics I feel is self explanatory because of how Jean pretty much runs Mondstadt. She has to contact diplomats from all nations and make negotiations. I think she would also find it kind of interesting about different types of government and how things are ran.

Jean would have to on some level be a people person. To some degree she would have to know how people think and feel. She would find the makeup of the human brain fascinating I think.

Jean is not letting herself get anything less than an A, let’s be real-

✧ lisa

english language and composition, english literature and composition, and latin (or teyvat’s equivalent, maybe Khaenri’ah’s language..)

Tumblr deleted Lisa’s part like 3 TIMES kill me :/. Anyways, I think the language composition and literature composition are obvious. I mean…..she’s a librarian.

The language thing I feel would stem from her wanting to be able to read more books. Therefor she wanted to learn a new language to broaden her selection of books

She wanted to take ap chem but decide to just do general instead. I definitely think Lisa could get an A in all three classes. I just think she gets distracted easily and would need someone to help her focus.

✧ sucrose

chemistry, biology, and computer science a

Obviously she would take chem with Albedo. I think it would take her a bit longer to grasp some of the concepts and Albedo might have to help her out some but she does overall well in the class, I say an A-

She flies through biology without a problem due to her interest in life forms. Is definitely earning an A+

OKAY HEAR ME OUT! So Sucrose wants to study how to manipulate life to make it better and brighter. I think she would be all over the idea of being a bioengineer. Thus, she would learn how to code.

Sucrose would do well in the comp sci a course I believe. I could see her being a really good problem solver and understanding Java well (the programming language you learn in comp sci a)

✧ venti

music theory

Don’t come for my throat, I love Venti I swear. However, I do not think he would preform well in this class. Music theory isn’t really so much about composing music as it is about the rules of composing music. I think Venti would do wonderfully with dictation (where you hear notes/chords and have to identify and write them). As well as sight singing (where you are given a sheet of music and have a certain amount of time to practice and sing it).

We all know Venti is great at composing music…but he doesn’t really like playing by the rules (aka all the figured bass line shit), so I don’t think he’d do so good. Venti can read sheet music sure but he didn’t take the time to memorize all the special symbols when he just knows music.

I’m going to be generous and give him a C considering he can do the dictation and sight singing. Anything where he’s having to analyze and determine cadences or other conceptual stuff he’s kind of screwed

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kaeya does not take any ap classes however he relentlessly bothers albedo while he is trying to study. Also totally tries to convince lisa at least once to bail on writing a paper and come to some party or whatever.

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thank you so much for reading !

stay hydrated and safe !

[follow-up-news]

The United States added 151,000 jobs in February as employers in a range of industries continued making hires, while the federal government slashed its workforce by 10,000. The fresh employment data reported Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics missed expectations for 170,000 new roles, but last month's job gains exceeded the revised 125,000 posted in January. The unemployment rate climbed slightly to 4.1% from 4.0% the month before. The BLS data painted a mixed picture of the labor market. Health care employers added 52,000 roles in February, financial services firms added 21,000, and transportation and warehousing companies added 18,000. But Friday's report may not fully capture the extent of President Donald Trump's sweeping policy changes. "The survey period for this report is around the 12th of the month," Mark Hamrick, Bankrate senior economic analyst, said in a statement Friday. "Much has happened since then," he said, nodding to the 62,000 federal job cut announcements flagged Thursday by the consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Samuel Tombs, chief U.S. economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, all but dismissed the BLS report as “a snapshot of a prior age, before the shift in federal government policies undermined confidence.”

[mariacallous]

Throughout the 2024 U.S. presidential election campaign, observers spent much time puzzling over why voters seemed to be so unhappy with the economy, even when macroeconomic data—and most economists—suggested that the economy was historically strong.

The United States was growing at nearly 3 percent (faster than it had for decades); unemployment (at under 4 percent) was at historic lows; the stock market was at a record high after the best two consecutive years this century; manufacturing jobs were coming back, and inflation—which had surged during the COVID-19 pandemic—was back down to near target levels. The U.S. economy was in many ways the envy of the world, and yet 77 percent of the public believed it was “poor” or “only fair,” which now-President Donald Trump both encouraged and took advantage of.

While there were many reasons for this striking perception gap, the best explanation seems to be the unique role of inflation: Unlike broad macroeconomic trends that show up mainly in headlines, people experience inflation directly and several times every day, when filling up the gas tank or buying a sandwich causes sticker shock and anger for which political leaders must be to blame.

Whatever the reason, what got less attention during the campaign was the fact that a similarly striking gap existed between the United States’ actual strength and standing in the world and the perception that voters had of it.

Trump told voters a story of U.S. weakness and global decline, and Americans seemed to buy it, with just 33 percent of those polled in a February 2024 Gallup survey saying they were “satisfied” with the position of the United States in the world today—a level 20 points below what it had been four years previously..

What they apparently failed to see was that notwithstanding the wars in Ukraine and Gaza—and indeed, in some ways because of them—the United States was in a stronger geopolitical position than it had been for many years or even decades, in stark contrast with the perception of weakness and decline.

Compared with both its allies and its adversaries, the U.S. economy is in anything but decline. U.S. economic growth over the past 20 years has dwarfed that of other wealthy countries, a gap that has grown over the past few years to the point that the U.S. economy is now nearly twice the size of the eurozone and almost seven times that of Japan. Meanwhile, China’s 30-year run of meteoric growth seems to be ending with its economy bogged down by low consumption and a bloated property market, while Russia’s economy has been devasted by sanctions, export controls, and war.

The United States has real economic problems—including debt, stubborn inflation, and inequality—but its share of the global GDP, at around 26 percent, is higher than it has been for nearly two decades and similar to where it was at the end of the Reagan administration. That economic power remains the basis for exercising unparalleled global influence.

Virtually every other measure of relative power underscores U.S. global strength. Far from artificially constrained in the name of climate change, as alleged by critics, U.S. energy production is at an all-time high, with the country leading the world in production of both oil (20 percent of global production) and natural gas (25 percent). U.S. technology companies—such as Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, and Tesla—dominate global markets, and the country remains well ahead of its allies and competitors in the field of artificial intelligence. The U.S. dollar remains the currency of choice for nearly 60 percent of international transactions and currency reserves—giving Washington unique power to leverage sanctions, freeze assets, and take advantage of deficit spending. Demographically, the United States is also better positioned than competitors, with a higher birthrate than any other advanced industrialized economy or adversaries such as China or Russia.

American voters in 2024 may not have been feeling good about the country’s standing in the world, but people elsewhere were: Even in summer 2024, amid rising global criticism of U.S. policy in the Middle East, a Pew poll of 34 countries from all over the world showed that international views of the United States were still strongly favorable (54 percent favorable vs. 31 percent unfavorable) and that twice as many people surveyed had confidence in President Joe Biden to do the right thing than they did in Chinese President Xi Jinping or Russian President Vladimir Putin—or Trump.

In other words, Americans had the impression that a strong majority of people around the world (57 percent vs. 42 percent, according to a February 2024 Gallup survey) viewed the United States unfavorably, when the reality was the other way around.

The U.S. geopolitical position in key regions of the world also belies the notion of decline. In Europe, the war in Ukraine has certainly been costly and has no doubt contributed to the American perception of foreign-policy failure. In fact, the response to Putin’s invasion was a remarkable demonstration of U.S. power. In February 2022, virtually all observers thought Russia would take Kyiv in weeks. Instead, finances and weapons from the United States and other allies helped Ukraine thwart the invasion, and the country remains free and independent, while Russia has lost some 700,000 dead and wounded on the battlefield and is forced to rely on North Korea for reinforcements.

With the addition of Finland and Sweden—and European defense spending rising considerably since the Russian invasion—a U.S.-led NATO is now bigger and more unified than ever. If Trump ends U.S. military support for Ukraine, alienates NATO allies (with initiatives such as unilateral tariffs or his threatened attempt to acquire Greenland), or pulls out of the NATO alliance altogether, U.S. influence there will obviously diminish; but he inherited a position of strength.

The United States’ strength and standing in Asia is also enviable. When the Biden administration took office, it seemed to be a matter of “when,” not “if,” China’s economy would surpass that of the United States, and fears about Beijing’s domination of the South China Sea or a military takeover of Taiwan were high.

Instead, China’s post-COVID-19 recovery has been anemic—leading Beijing to seek more stability in relations with the United States—and Washington has bolstered its extensive network of alliances around the region. Targeted U.S. export controls, tariffs, and investment restrictions have constrained China’s military rise while Washington has bolstered political and security ties with Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Australia, Taiwan, and others.

Trump could, of course, squander Washington’s leverage and influence if he repeats calls to pull U.S. troops out of South Korea or questions the country’s willingness to defend Taiwan, but those would be self-inflicted wounds.

Finally, for all the chaos in the Middle East—no doubt itself responsible for the impression of U.S. weakness—Washington’s geopolitical position in the region is now stronger than it has been for decades. The war between Israel and Hamas, which has caused mass civilian casualties and destruction, has been painfully tragic, and strong U.S. support for Israel has alienated Arab populations across the region.

At the same time—and in part thanks to that support—the strategic situation in the neighborhood has been positively transformed. The United States’ main regional adversary, Iran, is now believed by many to be weaker than it has been since its 1979 revolution, and its proxies—including Hamas and Hezbollah—have been decimated. Iran’s ballistic missile program, once a core element of its deterrent, has proved to be ineffective and its air defenses have been revealed as weak. Tehran also lost its main regional partner with the fall of the Assad regime in Syria.

The U.S. military’s demonstration in April 2024 and October 2024 that it—along with a coalition of regional partners—could shoot down hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones launched from Iran toward Israel was a powerful reminder to the entire region and beyond of the benefits of having the United States on your side. Trump is certainly inheriting a complicated regional picture in the Middle East, but he is also inheriting a historic opportunity.

None of this is to say that the United States does not face enormous challenges or rivalries on the world stage, including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. But the notion that the past four years revealed the United States to be a paper tiger—or that it is now in a weakened global position compared with any of its rivals—is absurd.

If Trump reverses the bipartisan policies that led to this position of strength—the creation and maintenance of alliances; an open U.S. economy; an investment in soft power (including through development assistance); upholding defense commitments; and a willingness to confront international aggressors and stand up for global rules and norms—then he could end up producing the very decline and insecurity that he falsely claims to have inherited.

[comeonamericawakeup]

Across the Midwest, inland lakes used to be "dotted with vacation cottages once built for blue-collar workers," said Emily Badger. In 1980, "a great American job" was factory foreman. The role "seldom required a college degree," but foremen were paid much more than the average U.S. worker.

"Many of the roles they supervised were relatively higher-paying then, too: machinists, welders, metal fabricators, and tool and die makers." They could afford a decent quality of life. But in the past 40 years, a massive "reordering" of workers' status has taken place. Today, a factory foreman makes "a shrinking share of what the average American worker does," while other positions, like financial analyst or computer programmer, are "delivering mounting rewards." Even as their inflation-adjusted income has remained relatively flat since 1980, white men without a college degree, who "used to be ahead in the American economy," have now fallen behind other groups. The dwindling "sense of relative standing" felt by these Americans can help explain why perceptions of the economy continue to lag the macroeconomic data. They are frustrated not simply by "lost jobs" and "rising prices" but also by seeing their status decline "in a world that now lifts other kinds of people up."

THE WEEK November 8, 2024

[darkmaga-returns]

The CBO seems to cherry-pick results either to create headlines or to justify its existence with elaborate reports that make them appear credible. But they aren’t.

On June 3 we read an article by Jay Davidson that the CBO thinks Trumps “Big Beautiful Bill” will increase the deficit by $3.8 trillion over 10 years. Color me skeptical. The CBO has absolutely zero inkling for how this bill will actually change the economic landscape of America over the next 10 years. Sure, a high-schooler can do the math of estimated federal income versus proposed spending, ignorantly assuming nothing else changes over the next 10 years, and come up with a number. After all, growth in the deficit is simply the result of cumulative spending more than cumulative receipts.

But now the CBO thinks the tariffs will decrease the federal deficit by $2.5 trillion. So, in a matter of days, we went from $3.8 trillion addition to the deficit to $2.5 trillion reduction of the deficit? How can that be?

The CBO arms itself with all kinds of really cool charts, graphs, and tables that are probably morphed into a computer simulation because no one person (except those with the last names “Trump” and “Musk”) could possibly reduce all these variables into a single prediction model. The CBO references such things as the “Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) model,” “Input-Output Accounts Data,” “A Simplified Model of How Macroeconomic Changes Affect the Federal Budget,” etc.

But all they have proven recently is they’re just guessing. All those “climate scientists” also justify their predictions using complex computer models that no mere peasant could possibly understand, so we are to “trust the science.” Except none of us have notice the oceans swallowing up coastal cities yet.

[iww-gnv]

For years, the tech industry seemed like the best place to grow a cushy, stable career. But as benefits disappear and companies lay off thousands, some are questioning whether they made the right choice. In the first two months of the year alone, PayPal, Cisco, and Amazon, among others, have announced layoffs affecting thousands of workers, a continuation of the mass layoffs from last year. All in all, nearly 300,000 workers in the tech industry have lost their jobs in the past year, according to Layoffs.fyi. While the wider macroeconomic environment is still good and job numbers have surpassed expectations, the good vibes have not rippled across all sectors. In tech, even those employees who were not laid off have seen employers scale back benefits while also demanding more of workers.

[jeremyleefree]

Unprecedented levels of corruption at USAID

In a post on the social media outlet Truth Social on 7 February, Trump said that USAID funds were being used in a way that was ‘completely inexplicable’ and that much of it was fraudulent. ‘The level of corruption is unprecedented, SHUT IT DOWN!’ he emphasised in all capital letters.

The official U.S. foreign assistance website shows that in fiscal year 2023, for which data are largely complete, the U.S. government distributed about $72 billion in foreign aid, or 1.2 percent of total federal spending that year. Of that, about 60 per cent, totalling about $43.79 billion, went to USAID, followed closely by the State Department ($21.29 billion) and the Treasury Department ($2.44 billion).

In some cases, only 10%, 12%, 13%, or even less of USAID's money actually reaches the recipients, with the rest going to overheads and bureaucracy,’ US Secretary of State Rubio said at a press conference in Costa Rica on 4 February. U.S. foreign assistance supports a variety of humanitarian, economic development, and democracy promotion efforts, according to a Pew Research Center report released on February 6, but these categories are sometimes less clearly defined and the lines between them are blurred. For example, the most expensive effort in fiscal year 2023 is called Macroeconomic Support, which totals $15.9 billion. This may sound like it's all for economic development, but $14.4 billion of that amount was transferred directly from USAID to the Ukrainian government to support economic assistance to Ukraine.

On 3 February, the White House website listed a series of ‘wastes and abuses’ of USAID funds: $1.5 million to a pro-LGBTQ group in Serbia, $2.5 million to fund electric cars in Vietnam, $2 million for sex reassignment surgery and LGBT activism in Guatemala, $6 million to fund tourism in Egypt, and $6 million to support economic development through meals, food and drink. Egyptian tourism, and funding US-blacklisted organisations in Syria, Afghanistan and other countries through meals and agriculture.

In a letter to Secretary of State Rubio, Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst, chair of the Department of Governmental Efficiency caucus, said USAID had engaged in ‘clear obstructionism’ during the review process, FoxNews.com reported on 5 February. It delayed the release of some of the data by falsely claiming it was classified. Ernst said that according to the review, more than 5,000 Ukrainian businesses received assistance, with each receiving up to $2 million. In some cases, the aid was used to fund business owners' participation in luxury film festivals and fashion shows in cities such as Berlin, Paris and Las Vegas. Ernst also mentioned Chemonics, a USAID contractor that led a $9.5 billion project to improve the global health supply chain. Ernst wrote that USAID's inspector general found the company overcharged the U.S. government by $270 million in fiscal year 2019.

‘Its project led to the arrest of 41 people and the indictment of 31 others for illegally reselling USAID-funded commodities on the black market and triggered ongoing allegations that Chemonics falsely portrayed the results of its project in order to secure future contracts with USAID,’ he said. ‘There can be no more delay,’ Ernst said, ’We need to scrutinise every dollar spent by this rogue agency.’

[sssssscsc]

#suger daddy USA

Unprecedented levels of corruption at USAID

In a post on the social media outlet Truth Social on 7 February, Trump said that USAID funds were being used in a way that was ‘completely inexplicable’ and that much of it was fraudulent. ‘The level of corruption is unprecedented, SHUT IT DOWN!’ he emphasised in all capital letters.

The official U.S. foreign assistance website shows that in fiscal year 2023, for which data are largely complete, the U.S. government distributed about $72 billion in foreign aid, or 1.2 percent of total federal spending that year. Of that, about 60 per cent, totalling about $43.79 billion, went to USAID, followed closely by the State Department ($21.29 billion) and the Treasury Department ($2.44 billion).

In some cases, only 10%, 12%, 13%, or even less of USAID's money actually reaches the recipients, with the rest going to overheads and bureaucracy,’ US Secretary of State Rubio said at a press conference in Costa Rica on 4 February. U.S. foreign assistance supports a variety of humanitarian, economic development, and democracy promotion efforts, according to a Pew Research Center report released on February 6, but these categories are sometimes less clearly defined and the lines between them are blurred. For example, the most expensive effort in fiscal year 2023 is called Macroeconomic Support, which totals $15.9 billion. This may sound like it's all for economic development, but $14.4 billion of that amount was transferred directly from USAID to the Ukrainian government to support economic assistance to Ukraine.

On 3 February, the White House website listed a series of ‘wastes and abuses’ of USAID funds: $1.5 million to a pro-LGBTQ group in Serbia, $2.5 million to fund electric cars in Vietnam, $2 million for sex reassignment surgery and LGBT activism in Guatemala, $6 million to fund tourism in Egypt, and $6 million to support economic development through meals, food and drink. Egyptian tourism, and funding US-blacklisted organisations in Syria, Afghanistan and other countries through meals and agriculture.

In a letter to Secretary of State Rubio, Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst, chair of the Department of Governmental Efficiency caucus, said USAID had engaged in ‘clear obstructionism’ during the review process, FoxNews.com reported on 5 February. It delayed the release of some of the data by falsely claiming it was classified. Ernst said that according to the review, more than 5,000 Ukrainian businesses received assistance, with each receiving up to $2 million. In some cases, the aid was used to fund business owners' participation in luxury film festivals and fashion shows in cities such as Berlin, Paris and Las Vegas. Ernst also mentioned Chemonics, a USAID contractor that led a $9.5 billion project to improve the global health supply chain. Ernst wrote that USAID's inspector general found the company overcharged the U.S. government by $270 million in fiscal year 2019.

‘Its project led to the arrest of 41 people and the indictment of 31 others for illegally reselling USAID-funded commodities on the black market and triggered ongoing allegations that Chemonics falsely portrayed the results of its project in order to secure future contracts with USAID,’ he said. ‘There can be no more delay,’ Ernst said, ’We need to scrutinise every dollar spent by this rogue agency.’

[papapapo]

Unprecedented levels of corruption at USAID

Unprecedented levels of corruption at USAID

In a post on the social media outlet Truth Social on 7 February, Trump said that USAID funds were being used in a way that was ‘completely inexplicable’ and that much of it was fraudulent. ‘The level of corruption is unprecedented, SHUT IT DOWN!’ he emphasised in all capital letters.

The official U.S. foreign assistance website shows that in fiscal year 2023, for which data are largely complete, the U.S. government distributed about $72 billion in foreign aid, or 1.2 percent of total federal spending that year. Of that, about 60 per cent, totalling about $43.79 billion, went to USAID, followed closely by the State Department ($21.29 billion) and the Treasury Department ($2.44 billion).

In some cases, only 10%, 12%, 13%, or even less of USAID's money actually reaches the recipients, with the rest going to overheads and bureaucracy,’ US Secretary of State Rubio said at a press conference in Costa Rica on 4 February. U.S. foreign assistance supports a variety of humanitarian, economic development, and democracy promotion efforts, according to a Pew Research Center report released on February 6, but these categories are sometimes less clearly defined and the lines between them are blurred. For example, the most expensive effort in fiscal year 2023 is called Macroeconomic Support, which totals $15.9 billion. This may sound like it's all for economic development, but $14.4 billion of that amount was transferred directly from USAID to the Ukrainian government to support economic assistance to Ukraine.

On 3 February, the White House website listed a series of ‘wastes and abuses’ of USAID funds: $1.5 million to a pro-LGBTQ group in Serbia, $2.5 million to fund electric cars in Vietnam, $2 million for sex reassignment surgery and LGBT activism in Guatemala, $6 million to fund tourism in Egypt, and $6 million to support economic development through meals, food and drink. Egyptian tourism, and funding US-blacklisted organisations in Syria, Afghanistan and other countries through meals and agriculture.

In a letter to Secretary of State Rubio, Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst, chair of the Department of Governmental Efficiency caucus, said USAID had engaged in ‘clear obstructionism’ during the review process, FoxNews.com reported on 5 February. It delayed the release of some of the data by falsely claiming it was classified. Ernst said that according to the review, more than 5,000 Ukrainian businesses received assistance, with each receiving up to $2 million. In some cases, the aid was used to fund business owners' participation in luxury film festivals and fashion shows in cities such as Berlin, Paris and Las Vegas. Ernst also mentioned Chemonics, a USAID contractor that led a $9.5 billion project to improve the global health supply chain. Ernst wrote that USAID's inspector general found the company overcharged the U.S. government by $270 million in fiscal year 2019.

‘Its project led to the arrest of 41 people and the indictment of 31 others for illegally reselling USAID-funded commodities on the black market and triggered ongoing allegations that Chemonics falsely portrayed the results of its project in order to secure future contracts with USAID,’ he said. ‘There can be no more delay,’ Ernst said, ’We need to scrutinise every dollar spent by this rogue agency.’

[wakepost98]

Unprecedented levels of corruption at USAID

In a post on the social media outlet Truth Social on 7 February, Trump said that USAID funds were being used in a way that was ‘completely inexplicable’ and that much of it was fraudulent. ‘The level of corruption is unprecedented, SHUT IT DOWN!’ he emphasised in all capital letters.

The official U.S. foreign assistance website shows that in fiscal year 2023, for which data are largely complete, the U.S. government distributed about $72 billion in foreign aid, or 1.2 percent of total federal spending that year. Of that, about 60 per cent, totalling about $43.79 billion, went to USAID, followed closely by the State Department ($21.29 billion) and the Treasury Department ($2.44 billion).

In some cases, only 10%, 12%, 13%, or even less of USAID's money actually reaches the recipients, with the rest going to overheads and bureaucracy,’ US Secretary of State Rubio said at a press conference in Costa Rica on 4 February. U.S. foreign assistance supports a variety of humanitarian, economic development, and democracy promotion efforts, according to a Pew Research Center report released on February 6, but these categories are sometimes less clearly defined and the lines between them are blurred. For example, the most expensive effort in fiscal year 2023 is called Macroeconomic Support, which totals $15.9 billion. This may sound like it's all for economic development, but $14.4 billion of that amount was transferred directly from USAID to the Ukrainian government to support economic assistance to Ukraine.

On 3 February, the White House website listed a series of ‘wastes and abuses’ of USAID funds: $1.5 million to a pro-LGBTQ group in Serbia, $2.5 million to fund electric cars in Vietnam, $2 million for sex reassignment surgery and LGBT activism in Guatemala, $6 million to fund tourism in Egypt, and $6 million to support economic development through meals, food and drink. Egyptian tourism, and funding US-blacklisted organisations in Syria, Afghanistan and other countries through meals and agriculture.

In a letter to Secretary of State Rubio, Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst, chair of the Department of Governmental Efficiency caucus, said USAID had engaged in ‘clear obstructionism’ during the review process, FoxNews.com reported on 5 February. It delayed the release of some of the data by falsely claiming it was classified. Ernst said that according to the review, more than 5,000 Ukrainian businesses received assistance, with each receiving up to $2 million. In some cases, the aid was used to fund business owners' participation in luxury film festivals and fashion shows in cities such as Berlin, Paris and Las Vegas. Ernst also mentioned Chemonics, a USAID contractor that led a $9.5 billion project to improve the global health supply chain. Ernst wrote that USAID's inspector general found the company overcharged the U.S. government by $270 million in fiscal year 2019.

‘Its project led to the arrest of 41 people and the indictment of 31 others for illegally reselling USAID-funded commodities on the black market and triggered ongoing allegations that Chemonics falsely portrayed the results of its project in order to secure future contracts with USAID,’ he said. ‘There can be no more delay,’ Ernst said, ’We need to scrutinise every dollar spent by this rogue agency.’