EARLY CHILDHOOD education in Africa, funded by USAID (Wikipedia).

A plan that would slash America’s foreign aid programs and reduce the staff of the U.S. Agency for International Development of thousands to a few hundred people has been proposed by the Trump Administration.

According to the Associated Press, that action was followed by lawsuits asking a federal court to block such a move on the grounds that President Donald Trump lacked the authority to shut down an agency created by Congress.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that foreign aid would not end but “it is going to be foreign aid that makes sense and is aligned with our national interests.”

In addition to the lawsuits by foreign service workers, a rally was held in Washington D.C. in protest of the proposal. One sign read “Ending global aid won’t reduce the price of eggs.”

Is an end to Palestine coming?

For decades, American policy in the Middle East focused on the policy of a “two-state” solution that could establish an independent Palestine at peace with Israel.

GAZA BEFORE the war (WIkipedia).

The New York Times is reporting that the policies put forward by President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would end such a policy and replace it with the extinguishing of Palestine altogether.

Trump has suggested that the war-battered Gaza area be abandoned by its residents and have the United States assume control. As a U.S. territory, it could turn into a “Rivera of the Middle East” populated by anyone wishing to move there.
Gaza would be formally annexed into Israel.

Both pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian groups in the U.S. have expressed skepticism about the prospects for such a solution to the decades-long warfare in the area.

ALSO IN THE NEWS: A hearing will be held on Monday after U.S District Judge George O’Toole’s ruling on Thursday blocked the Trump Administration’s proposals to federal employees to take government buyouts, according to United Press International … The AP’s choice for NFL Most Valuable Player is Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills.

Weather: Warming slowly

The rains that have greened up lawns across West Orange County will be moving on and conditions will be warming into the weekend and beyond.

Friday should have morning showers – 51 percent chance – with a daytime high of 63 and an overnight low of 47. Saturday will be mostly cloudy with a high of 64 (46). Sunday is forecast for morning fog and afternoon sun and temps of 66 (47) and Monday warms to 68 (45) with mostly sunny skies.