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Robert Gordon of Northwestern University describes the problems in American Education and how this is the first generation which will not do better than its parents in educational attainment. The cost says Gordon comes in lower potential economic growth rates.

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Amazon founder and CEO meets with journalists from the newsroom at the Washington Post in September 2013.

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VW's sales in the U.S. doubled between 2009 and 2012, and VW set aggressive goals for the U.S. market to reach 800,000 by 2018. The goal was a stretch goal because this was double the level of 438,000 vehicles in 2012. This was part of its Mach 18 plan to pass GM and Toyota in global sales by 2018. Now this goal appears less achievable, because of new models from Honda and Ford which surpass VW's Jetta and Passat in technology, features and fuel efficiency. The U.S. market sales have increased by 9.6% in 2013, VW's sales declined by 1.3% so far through August in 2013, at 282, 913 vehicles. Ramping up production at the new Chattanooga plant will have to be put off and 500 contract workers have been given leave from the assembly line. By contrast Toyota sales for the 8 month period 2013 increased by 7% and 8.6%. In August Toyota's were up 23%, Honda's 27%, and VW down 1.6%. VW executives have said the company needs sales of 400,000 to make the U.S. manufacturing operations profitable. VW made a strategic decision to cut costs and bring the Passat price more in line with competition from similiar cars from Japanese carmakers. But this was done not relying solely on productivity and other improvements, but used cost cutting using cheaper materials. VW even went one step further by taking away the European suspension which delivered a more precise ride, and installed a lower cost suspension on the Jetta and Passat. Customers have noticed with some buying older models with the European suspension. Honda and Toyota moved in the other direction in the last 2 years coming out with more advanced features on the Accord and Camry. Ford did this with the Fusion. The new Accord has a backup camera, iPod connection, power seats and alloy wheels as standard. As a result Passat sales were up only 3% through Aug 2013, and Accord sales increased by 17%, Ford Fusion sales up 13%. VW's response is to ramp up discounts. It is also coming up with a new engine, Jetta compact with a sportier ride will be introduced, and a redesigned Golf hatchback for 2014. The slowdown in sales at VW shows how competitive the car market has become with Korean, German, Japanese and American carmakers quick to make inroads in turn with weak points of the competition. Strategic missteps can be costly for any manufacturer and the customer can never be taken for granted....

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The Indonesian currency, the Rupiah, has declined by 13% in 2013- by Sept. 3. It reached a level of 11,050 rupiah for one dollar on Sept 3. Economic growth has declined to 6% for the second quarter of 2013. The depreciation of the rupiah is likely to increase inflation significantly and affect the consumer spending boom in Indonesia. Indonesia had a $2.3 billion trade deficit in July 2013 after a continuing surge in imports. This will affect car prices and prices of international brands popular in the country. Toyota set the rate at 9500 rupiah to the dollar and plans to increase prices now that the rate has passed 11,000 rupiah.

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The suicide note left by CFO Wauthier of Zurich Insurance in August 2013. This followed heated and tense exchanges with chairman Josef Ackermann of Zurich Insurance, who joined the company in 2012. Wauthier says Ackermann created a very stressful working environment and treated managers disrespectfully, putting pressure on the finance department. Ackermann joined Zurich Insurance after a career as investment banker and CEO of Deutsche Bank AG. Zurich Insurance's board said an internal investigation will be conducted on cultural issues about whether excessive pressure was placed on the finance department by senior management. Ackermann resigned immediately. Ackermann had tried to change the culture at Zurich of courteous and quiet internal meetings. His position was non executive chairman but he took a vigorous role. Zurich Insurance was facing a difficult macroeconomic environment and missed three year operational targets set in 2010. Wauthier was a 53 year old dual French-British citizen who joined the company in 1996. He worked in southern California for the company in one position, where he improved his surfing skills. The differences between the hard charging investment banking demeanor of Ackermann and the quiet demeanor with engagement in sports of Wauthier, suggests serious differences in management styles leading to conflict that ended in tragedy....

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A Jakarta corruption court gives a 10 year prison sentence to a high ranking police official, Djoko Susilo. Susilo headed the traffic police and then the police academy. He was convicted for taking $3 million in kickbacks for procurement of driving simulators used in driver license testing. President Yudhoyono had to intervene to let prosecutors question Mr. Susilo. The Indonesian president made anti-corruption promises during his election campaign in 2004.

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Syrian refugees reach the 2 million mark in August 2013, with 4.25 million displaced in the fighting. UN officials say the number could reach 3.5 million by the end of 2013.