Dear Friends, 
Building on the success of the Lafayette Fellowship’s launch last year and following a successful Summer Leadership Program with our inaugural cohort, I am delighted to announce that applications for the 2027–2028 Lafayette Fellowship are now open. They will remain open through December 1, 2026. 
This program offers a unique opportunity to join the next generation of young leaders committed to strengthening the transatlantic relationship. The Lafayette Fellowship funds one year of master's-level study in France for up to 30 outstanding American students.  
Open to both Francophone and non-Francophone candidates, the program partners with leading French universities and grandes écoles across STEM, the humanities, the social sciences, and the arts, with degree programs offered in French or entirely in English. 
In addition to their academic studies, Fellows participate in the French-American Leadership Program, which provides an immersive introduction to French and European innovation, culture, and public policy, alongside mentorship opportunities. 
Last summer, our inaugural Fellows traveled to Paris, Avignon, Arles, and Marseille for the opening chapter of the program. Through masterclasses with leading figures, visits to major institutions, and unique cultural experiences, they discovered France from multiple perspectives while building a strong community of their own. Their journey will continue throughout the year, with additional sessions in Strasbourg and the Paris region. You can learn more about the inaugural cohort's Summer Leadership Program here. [ https://villa-albertine.org/va/lafayette/inside-the-2026-lafayette-fellows-leadership-program/ ]
As our inaugural Fellows now begin their academic year in France, we look forward to identifying our next cohort of Lafayette Fellows.  
Learn more about our upcoming informational webinars and additional program updates on the Lafayette Fellowship website.  [ https://lafayette.villa-albertine.org/ ]
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Florence Botello at lafayettefellowship@villa-albertine.org. 
Warm regards, 
Mohamed Bouabdallah
Cultural Counselor and Director of Villa Albertine
Founder of the Lafayette Fellowship 
French Embassy in the United States 

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@pioneer1 had a post in the forum about the shutdown when I read eight donkeys joined the elephants to sign the elephant plan to continue running the government.
https://aalbc.com/tc/topic/12033-playing-games-with-snap-benefits/
 
 
my comment
the eight donkeys did it, i said this was a game of chicken and the donkeys flinched. the eight are aleady being crminalze so we will see
coment referral
https://aalbc.com/tc/topic/12033-playing-games-with-snap-benefits/#findComment-77524
 
another comment
@ProfD  yeah
he senate have confirmed so it is up to the house and the republican was made in the house so case closed. 
I do think the focus should be schumer's leadership. Regardless of what one thinks of the donkey's or elephants, schumer is supposed to be the leader of the donkeys in the senate and some broke ranks, technically only seven broke ranks. Angus King is an independent from maine, not a donkey. but Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Maggie Hassan, D-N.H. ,Dick Durbin of Illinois; John Fetterman of Pennsylvania are all northeasters while Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada are not.
 
https://aalbc.com/tc/events/event/584-the-shutdown-ends-potentially/
 
comment refferal
https://aalbc.com/tc/topic/12033-playing-games-with-snap-benefits/#findComment-77536
 
The Senate deal with the elephants was struck by Independent Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, and Donkeys Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Maggie Hassan, D-N.H. Joining them to support the measure were Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada; Dick Durbin of Illinois; John Fetterman of Pennsylvania; Tim Kaine of Virginia.
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky an elephant voted against.
url
Senate passes bill to reopen the government, as 8 Democrats break with their party
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/senate-passes-bill-to-reopen-the-government-as-8-democrats-break-with-their-party/ar-AA1Qbm4P?ocid=BingNewsSerp
 
Democrats rebel after 8 senators cut a deal to end the shutdown without ACA funds
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/democrats-rebel-8-senators-cut-deal-end-shutdown-aca-funds-rcna242994
 
Eight Senate Democrats break ranks with party leadership to end historic government shutdown
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/eight-senate-democrats-break-ranks-with-party-leadership-to-end-historic-government-shutdown/ar-AA1Q9fNn?ocid=BingNewsSerp
 
The Donkeys who voted for the bill in the House
 
Jared Golden - Maine Adam Gray - California Marie Gluesenkamp Perez - Washington Don Davis - North Carolina Henry Cuellar - Texas Tom Suozzi - New York The Elephants who voted against the bill in the House
Thomas Massie- Kentucky  Greg Steube- Florida referral
https://x.com/Warriortotruth/status/1988785089883566299
 
MAssie did it cause he always votes to go against increased spending, while Steube did it to block the profiteering of lawsuits for artic freeze
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/why-thomas-massie-greg-steube-voted-against-ending-government-shutdown-explained-101762999217799.html
 

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