literature.cafe

Summary

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defended Trump’s sweeping tariffs on over 180 countries during a Fox News interview, bizarrely claiming Europe rejects U.S. beef because “our beef is beautiful and theirs is weak.”

Critics quickly pointed out that EU restrictions on hormone- and antibiotic-treated meat drive the policy.

Lutnick falsely claimed the U.S. “can’t sell rice to Asia,” despite USDA data showing strong exports to parts of the region.

As economists warn of rising consumer costs, Lutnick’s remarks drew widespread mockery on social media.

Summary

Critics accused Trump and his administration of using ChatGPT to create its new tariff formula, which mirrors AI-generated outputs.

Commentators highlighted that the tariffs appear based on a simplistic calculation: divide the U.S. trade deficit with a country by total imports, or default to 10%.

Analysts slammed the approach as flawed and dangerous.

Markets reacted sharply, with the S&P 500 falling over 4% and Nasdaq dropping more than 5%.

TNG s2e10 "The Dauphin"

The last Leslie Nielson as Worf meme for aeronmelon@lemmy.world

For now, anyway.

Edit: the Frank Drebin cutouts all come from the fish tank scene with Ricardo "Khan" Montalbán

Update from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/34685956

Unfortunately for our entertainment, her Facebook profile has been entirely purged of her MAGA history.

Transcript:

I'm officially unemployed. Today I was RIF'd from the government. It's such a surreal and humbling moment; one that I knew was coming but secretly thought and wished would never happen. I started working for SBA in 2010 during my senior year of college. I came in as an emergency hire and was placed on the student career experience program. I worked in accounts payable for 14 years before moving to contracting in October. I worked remotely since 2017 when I was placed on a reasonable accommodation after shattering my kneecap while walking into work. I worked countless hours from different hospitals I was inpatient in from 2017-2023. I relied on work to get me through many difficult times in my life while I was alone in the hospital or angry at the universe. It kept me mentally sane for many years and gave me a purpose in life. I took a lot of pride over the team I managed and the work that we produced. I wouldn't change one thing about my federal career and hope one day I can continue it.

For now, it is time to figure out what is next for me. To all my fellow government workers, I want to say it's been a privilege being able to work with you. The government is full of a lot of highly intelligent and hard working individuals. I know that we will all be ok after the dust has settled and make a game plan for what is next. I have met so many great people in the government and hope the best for everyone!

For everyone that knows someone in the federal workforce, please check in on them. This is a scary and sad time for most of us and we are not ok at the moment and are faced with some scary unknown challenges that we have not faced before.

Summary:

Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate have introduced legislation that would amend a decades-old provision within the Internal Revenue Service regarding churches, pastors and nonprofits.

North Carolina Representative Mark Harris and Oklahoma Senator James Lankford introduced the bicameral Free Speech Fairness Act Monday. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas co-sponsored the legislation in the Senate, and 16 Republicans co-sponsored it in the House.

"Now that we have a Republican trifecta, [in the House, Senate and White House], [the bill sponsors are] hoping to have momentum behind it," a Harris spokesperson told Newsweek.

Newsweek reached out to the IRS and Lankford's and Cruz's offices for comment.

Why It Matters

The bill would remove the Johnson Amendment, a 1954 tax code provision.

Named after President Lyndon B. Johnson, the amendment prohibits all 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations—like churches, where contributions are tax-deductible—from supporting or opposing candidates in political campaigns. It was enacted to prevent tax-deductible money from being used in the process. Such organizations can still participate in electoral processes.

During his first term in 2017, President Donald Trump signed an executive order, Promoting Free Speech and Liberty, to ease restrictions on religious organizations and nonprofits and provide more protections.

Despite Trump's claims that he "got rid" of the Johnson Amendment, it remains in place and can only be changed by Congress or the U.S. Supreme Court.

https://archive.ph/WNlaP

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/28091145

US stock markets tumbled on Thursday as investors parsed the sweeping change in global trading following Donald Trump’s announcement of a barrage of tariffs on the country’s trading partners.

All three major US stock markets closed down in their worst day since June 2020, during the Covid pandemic. The tech-heavy Nasdaq fell 6%, while the S&P 500 and the Dow dropped 4.8% and 3.9%, respectively. Apple and Nvidia, two of the US’s largest companies by market value, had lost a combined $470bn in value by midday.

Meanwhile, the US dollar hit a six-month low, going down at least 2.2% on Thursday morning compared with other major currencies and oil prices sank on fears of a global slowdown.

Summary

Researchers warn microplastics can quickly leach into food, even with brief use of plastic containers or utensils.

Studies show heating plastic, especially in microwaves, speeds the release of micro- and nanoplastics, which have been found in human brains, arteries, and organs.

Health risks may include cardiovascular disease and hormone-sensitive cancers.

Experts recommend reducing plastic use, especially when heating food, by opting for glass, ceramic, or stainless steel alternatives.

Summary

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) warned of uncertainty over Trump’s sweeping new tariffs, saying, “In the long run, we’re all dead,” and slammed blind loyalty to the policy.

While Kennedy didn’t vote against Trump’s emergency tariff powers—unlike four GOP senators—he criticized the lack of clarity on economic impacts.

Trump imposed a 10% baseline tariff on all imports, falsely claiming foreign nations will bear the cost.

Kennedy told Newsmax that predictions on the tariffs’ effects are unreliable, adding anyone claiming certainty is “lying” or “selling deep stupid.”

Hey everyone!

I'm Nick (he/them), I'm 20 and I'm looking for Fediverse friends! I'm former military, and now I'm trying to get into college (Chemical Engineering). I'd love to make friends in STEM, but anyone is welcome!

If you wanna be friends, let me know!

If this is the wrong sub, sorry admins. Idk where to go :(

Wonder if those 900 workers are rethinking their votes now?