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BRICS continues to expand rapidly, with Nigeria officially becoming a partner on January 17, 2025! This marks a major milestone as the group now represents over 40% of the global economy and more than half of the world’s population. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is poised to play a key role in reshaping global governance and financial systems, challenging Western dominance.
BRICS’ expansion to 55% of the world’s population leaves the U.S. powerless.
President Donald Trump made an array of statements about past and present federal policy for air traffic controllers.
He at one point said the crash “could have been” the result of diversity hiring initiatives, and he claimed air traffic controllers are allowed to work with serious health issues and disabilities.
Federal Aviation Administration standards and past changes.
Air traffic controllers must regularly meet specific medical standards and must be cleared by a flight surgeon, according to FAA documents. Those who fail to meet them are disqualified from the job.
Controllers must undergo regular medical examinations and are required to report any changes to their health to their flight surgeon, the documents indicate.
One of the conditions referenced by Trump – epilepsy – is specifically mentioned as disqualifying in the FAA documents. Controllers also must pass a hearing test and have 20/20 or better vision in each eye, with or without corrective lenses, for objects at long distances and 20/40 or better vision in each eye at a distance of 16 inches.
Additionally, they must have no history of bipolar disorder or any other psychoses or personality disorders and may not have had a blood alcohol test result of 0.04 or greater during the previous two years. They may not have a seated blood pressure higher than 155 over 95. And they must have no history of several cardiac conditions that include a heart attack, a cardiac valve replacement, a permanent pacemaker or a heart transplant.
Under Trump in April 2019, the FAA announced an Aviation Development Program that allowed 20 people with disabilities to train at air traffic control centers for careers in air traffic operations. Candidates in the program were subject to the “same rigorous consideration in terms of aptitude, medical and security qualifications” as traditional applicants, the release said.
The facts
In the news conference, Trump said Obama weakened standards and “I changed the Obama standards from very mediocre at best, to extraordinary. … Then they changed it back — that was Biden.”
Trump’s claim was repeated in an executive order Trump signed Thursday that ordered a review of aviation safety: “During my first term, my Administration raised standards to achieve the highest standards of safety and excellence.”
Under Trump in April 2019, the FAA announced an Aviation Development Program that allowed 20 people with disabilities to train at air traffic control centers for careers in air traffic operations. Candidates in the program were subject to the “same rigorous consideration in terms of aptitude, medical and security qualifications” as traditional applicants, the release said.
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There seems to be a common belief, perhaps especially among the “educated, political classes,” that governance naturally evolves toward liberal democracy.
History doesn’t validate this belief. We’re maybe seeing now, in some of Europe and the U.S., how mistaken it is.
The world’s probably in a worse state now than at any time since the collapse of the Soviet Union (early 1990’s).
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FAA spent millions on diversity hires during Donald Trump’s first term
The Federal Aviation Administration spent millions of dollars on its civil rights budget to promote diversity during Donald Trump’s first term.
Analysis of the agency’s budget submission from Mr Trump’s first presidency shows the federal government authorised spending nearly $13 million on the FAA’s office of civil rights in both 2018 and 2019.
Perhaps I’m overlooking something, could someone explain the connection between diversity initiatives and the tragedy that took place?
Perhaps we should ask Trump, as if he is aware. . 
’Do You Pray Your Pilot Has A Certain Skin Color?': Leavitt Defends Trump Admin.'s Anti-DEI Push
Trump vows to launch trade war on EU
“The European Union has treated us so terribly,” U.S. president complains, as Canada and Mexico get nailed with blitz of tariffs.
A massive trade war looms after U.S. President Donald Trump announced Friday evening he will “absolutely” slap tariffs on goods from the EU.
“Am I going to impose tariffs on the European Union? Do you want the truthful answer or should I give you a political answer? Absolutely, absolutely,” he told reporters in the Oval Office.
“The European Union has treated us so terribly,” Trump added, reiterating a grievance he has frequently voiced.
Trump has threatened to start a trade war with the EU in recent months, posting on social media in December that unless the bloc buys more American oil and gas, it would be “TARIFFS all the way!!!”
The European Commission has said it is ready to retaliate again if Trump levies tariffs this time around.
Europe will respond to any tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump in a proportionate way, the European Union’s commissioner for the economy told CNBC on Wednesday.
“If there is a need to defend our economic interests, we will be responding in a proportionate way,” Valdis Dombrovskis told CNBC’s Steve Sedgwick on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
“We’re ready to defend our values and also our interests and rights if that becomes necessary,” he added.
EU Hits Back at the US While Joining Canada and Mexico: Alliance Against the US?
The effect of unintended consequence.
The US banned the sale of the nvidia ai chip to China - the result is deepsake.
I deal with one EU company who have factories in the US & China. They have been moving production recently from the US to China - maybe just coincidence or maybe ahead of the game.
Edit - The US will likely hit EU with tariffs on cars, Pres Trump has mentioned that the EU don’t take in US cars - there is a huge imbalance - 271k vehicles from US & 738k the other way
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The WSJ cites the Bernard Lewis joke that it’s risky to be America’s enemy but it can be fatal to be its friend.
The largest tariffs are reserved for Mexico & Canada - China low figure of 10%
Seems to do with illegal drugs getting into the US - which has been happening for many years & likely will continue while demand exists.
Is there room to negotiate even at this late stage - anti -US attitudes are hardening in Canada, sad to see
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Insane that any U. S. president would address our allies in this manner publicly.
Trump says he would use ‘economic force’ to join Canada
Difficult to hear this - Canadian soldiers fought in Afghanistan alongside their US neighbours, fire fighters have fought wildfire together, billions of dollars worth of goods cross each others border (the longest land border in the world) and it has come to this.
Today Canadians are being told not to buy US goods - ‘look at the label’
How in heavens name has it come to this?
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Openly demand the will of a sovereign nation to be colonized, insanity.
Trump renews calls for Canada to become 51st state while Trudeau orders tariffs of his own in trade war:
President Donald Trump has renewed his calls for Canada to become the 51st U.S. state as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau orders retaliatory tariffs on the U.S.
After signing off on 25 percent tariffs for Canadian goods, Trump claimed Sunday the U.S. pays billions to “subsidize” Canada and argued that “without this massive subsidy, Canada ceases to exist as a viable Country.”
“Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — AND NO TARIFFS!”
Trump offers way for Canada to avoid tariffs: 'Become our Cherished 51st State' | Fox News
What we are hearing over here - hockey fans in Ottawa booed the Star-Spangled Banner.
Has happened again today.
Seems Pres Trump has unleashed a nationalism in Canada, or is it anti US theme unheard of before.
Truly difficult to comprehend, God only knows where all this will end, I truly hope sense will prevail - and soon.
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So far Trump / America is winning
Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino has announced China’s Belt and Road Initiative will not be renewed by his government.
Panama ‘bends the knee to Trump’ after ending initiative with China.
U. K. Flattering the Don?
Writer and broadcaster Esther Krakue claims UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer used the Royal Family to win the approval of US President Donald Trump.
Keir Starmer uses Royal Family to gain Donald Trump’s favor amid tariff threats.
Another country submit, those tariffs are a game changer,
US tariffs on Mexico ‘paused for a month,’ 10,000 Mexican troops head to border,
U.S. tariffs imposed on Mexico have been “paused for a month,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a post on X Monday shortly after speaking to President Donald Trump. Trump confirmed the news shortly after in a social media post of his own.
Sheinbaum said Mexico has agreed to “reinforce” the Mexico-U.S. border with 10,000 National Guard troops “immediately.” She also said the U.S. had agreed to work to prevent high-powered weapons from being trafficked into Mexico.
Trump did not mention the U.S. working to prevent weapons from being trafficked into Mexico, but confirmed the 10,000 Mexican troops being deployed to the border “to stop the flow of fentanyl, and illegal migrants into our Country.”
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Luckily he’s getting the Mexican troops at the border… that were already there. But who cares about details!
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Absolutely that is the lesson.
Business that rely solely on the US market will be looking to where they can diversify - today’s market is global in nature.
I suppose every action has a consequence.
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This is accurate; nobody appreciates a bully, and at any moment, those whom you bully may retaliate against you.
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Oh Canada, At least for now, Mexico and Canada have outsmarted Trump by bolstering border security with measures already underway
by Alex Gangitano - 02 / 03 / 25
Trump said Canada agreed to secure the northern border and work to combat the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., adding that it will implement its $1.3 billion border plan and agreed to take other steps to secure the border.
“As President, it is my responsibility to ensure the safety of ALL Americans, and I am doing just that. I am very pleased with this initial outcome, and the Tariffs announced on Saturday will be paused for a 30 day period to see whether or not a final Economic deal with Canada can be structured. FAIRNESS FOR ALL!” Trump said on Truth Social.
Government of Canada announces its plan to strengthen border security and our immigration system
News release
December 17, 2024 – Ottawa, Canada
Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs, along with the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and the Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, released Canada’s Border Plan. Backed by an investment of $1.3 billion and built around five pillars, this plan will bolster border security, strengthen our immigration system and contribute to ensuring Canada’s future prosperity.
Detecting and disrupting the fentanyl trade
The Government of Canada will increase support to law enforcement agencies in detecting, intercepting and addressing fentanyl and precursor chemicals by adding artificial intelligence and imaging tools that will further help detect illegal drugs before they enter Canada.
As well, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will train and deploy new canine teams to intercept illegal drugs. The agency currently has over 80 detector dog teams located at various ports of entry across Canada. CBSA will also deploy new chemical detection tools at high-risk ports of entry.
Health Canada will create a new Canadian Drug Profiling Centre to support 2,000 investigations a year, and expand capacity at regional labs.
By launching a new Chemical Precursor Risk Management Unit, Health Canada will be able to provide better insight into precursor chemicals and distribution channels, enhance monitoring and surveillance and enable timely law enforcement action.
In addition, Health Canada will accelerate the regulatory process for banning precursors so that border and law enforcement can take swift action to prevent their illegal importation and use.
Introducing significant new tools for law enforcement
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) will deploy a new Aerial Intelligence Task Force comprised of helicopters, drones, and mobile surveillance towers. Counter-drone technology will support RCMP officers and provide 24/7 surveillance between ports of entry.
As well, new legislative requirements proposed in the Fall Economic Statement 2024 will expressly obligate port owners and operators to provide the CBSA, free of charge, with the space and facilities needed to conduct export inspections, just as they currently do for imports.
In addition, the Government will invest to expand the RCMP and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE)’s intelligence collection capacity, enabling these agencies to target transnational organized crime and fentanyl trafficking more effectively.
The Government also proposed, in the Fall Economic Statement 2024, a set of amendments to the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA), including increases to administrative and criminal penalties and other compliance tools, to ensure reporting entities under the PCMLTFA are effectively detecting, deterring, and disrupting financial crime and do not treat non-compliance as the cost of doing business.
As well, a new dedicated taskforce bringing together law enforcement and the financial sector will enhance cooperation and information sharing on sophisticated money laundering schemes.
Stronger measures against money laundering will further starve organized crime groups of profits stemming from drug and firearms trafficking, and human smuggling.
Enhancing operational coordination
Increased information sharing between Canadian and United States (U.S.) officials on each illegal border interception enables officials to target and take stronger action against those who abuse our system, allowing for enhanced intelligence sharing in real time, monitoring of illegal migration trends and hot spots, improved operational interoperability, proactive resource planning and deployment, and ultimately, the targeting and disruption of organized crime groups facilitating illegal border crossings.
Working with provinces, territories and local law enforcement, the Government will create three regional hubs that bring federal, provincial and local law enforcement officers together to support and focus enforcement capacity, and intercept organized crime and illegal drugs faster.
The Government will also propose to the U.S. the creation of a new North American Joint Strike Force to target transnational organized crime.
Increasing information sharing
The Government of Canada will build on our information and intelligence sharing between our federal, provincial, territorial authorities, the U.S. and other international partners.
Enhanced information sharing will allow authorities to identify, monitor and collaborate with partners to intercept high-risk individuals attempting to travel along with goods of interest attempting to move between countries.
Minimizing unnecessary border volumes
As part of our efforts to continue to build a strong and fair immigration and asylum system, the Government of Canada will:
- Implement changes to end ‘flagpoling’, which happens when a temporary resident leaves Canada and immediately returns to a port of entry to get immigration services. This practice uses significant resources at the border, distracts border officers from enforcement activities, and slows cross-border traffic.
- The Government also proposed, in the Fall Economic Statement 2024, to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to secure and extend new authorities to cancel, change or suspend immigration documents and to cancel, suspend or stop accepting new applications, which would give Canada greater control over its immigration documents to protect Canadians and public resources. These authorities could also help prevent those who may pose a risk to Canada from entering the country and prevent further southbound irregular migration.
- Additional measures include imposing new restrictions on countries that do not rapidly facilitate the return of their citizens in the event of fraudulent entry or a removal order.
The Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) and its Additional Protocol remain in place*.* People must claim asylum in the first country they enter – be it Canada or the U.S. This agreement mitigates against unlawful entry into either country, and maintains border integrity for both countries. Claimants that do not meet an exception or exemption to the STCA will be returned to the first safe country they entered, either Canada or the U.S.
Canada and the U.S. have one of the closest and strongest relationships in the world. Our two countries will continue to work together to protect the integrity of our shared border, combatting drug trafficking and illegal migration while facilitating the lawful free flow of people, services and goods that contributes to North American prosperity.
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