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A test for South Korean democracy as president Yoon goes on trial. For the outside world too many South Korean leaders are being prosecuted after leaving office with stormy politics in South Korea.

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A case about sexism that had caused mental anguish to the Spanish soccer team, men's and women's, and was of concern to millions of soccer fans of the Spanish team around the world. It was about respect for women's soccer players for public display of kiss on Hermoso by and official Rubiales that was deemed unconsensual.

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A detailed breakdown of the the waste, fraud and improper payments in federal spending is shown in this WSJ report. . Of $4.1 trillion, a big chunk of the $6.7 trillion the US had in federal spending in 2024 according to CBO, 3.7% is self identified by agencies as improper payments or $149 billion. 90% of improper payments are overpayments. It reached a high of 7.1% of federal spending in 2021 during the pandemic when loose controls led to more improper payments. Only $22 billion was recovered for 2024. Outside agency control including state and local control where the federal and states are running programs is the single most difficulty in getting improper payments back. Top government programs with improper payments are: Health and Human Services Medicare $31.7 billion Medicaid   $31.1 billion Medicare Advantage $19.1 billion Medicare Prescription Benefit $3.6 billion Treasury - Earned Income Credit $15.9 billion Agriculture- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance $10.5 billion Social Security Supplemental Security Income $6.5 billion Labor- Federal and State Unemployment Insurance $5.1 billion ...

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This WSJ editorial board opinion lists all the reasons for continuing the war in Ukraine without answering the question raised by Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg about- what US interest calls for losing an entire generation of Ukrainians and Russians young men to war? The US as a beacon of hope in the world requires asking this question. Kellogg is a 80 year old veteran who has seen hand to hand combat in Vietnam and survived, attended the US Army College in Kansas, and has decades of experience in the Army, and was National Security Adviser. The US should ask questions about what is its right role? NATO was started in 1949 against the wall coming up in Eastern Europe under Communism, the Warsaw Pact was formed to oppose NATO in 1955. Yet after the Warsaw Pact was  disbanded by July 1991 after the fall of Communism there was no effort to reassess forming a new architecture that is based on the new situation. Shouldn't NATO have been replaced after Warsaw Pact was no longer in existence? Russia was too weak in the 1990's and till 2010 and there was no one to make the case for a new defense architecture. And no effort to reconsider and see that there is no fallback to positions from the Cold War and before that to British Empire positions about protecting its dominions in India and Asia from Russia. Considering that Russia is the only major nuclear power other than US in 2025, and within the years of a pandemic that destroyed an entire generation of older people- American, Russian, Chinese and Indian.   ...

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Germany's leading candidate for chancellor Merz gets an exemption for Germany to EU Common European Asylum System (CEAS) asylum laws for National Security reasons. The goal is to tight Schengen border controls to keep out illegal migrants.  EU president Von der Leyen calls Merz action on CEAS  asylum laws "innovative solutions." Germany takes U turn on asylum law as public opinion shifts with a series of crimes committed by illegal migrants allowed to stay in Germany including car rampages through crowds on streets, most recently in Munich. A sense of fatigue in EU with illegal migrants and a desire for normalcy, the old way of life, and secure neighborhoods and urban spaces. It is now seen in CDU as Merkel's policy errors and failure of judgement in letting in a flood of illegal migration.

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How crypto can touch small towns like Elkhart Kansas destroying financial assets. In this small farming town in Kansas crypto costs the town of 1900 people mostly farmers $30 million says this report in NYT. About $4.8 billion are lost in crypto scams every year (NYT).

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Opposition from New Jersey commuters to the Lower Manhattan congestion pricing scheme- driving there requires a $9 fee.

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Apple 2 year effort to replace Qualcomm modem chips. Apple to use inhouse modem chips in all iPhones.

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Nikola, US EV maker, files for bankruptcy in Feb 2025. At one time its value was comparable to that of Ford Motor. It shows how speculation can drive up stock prices and valuations that have not the remotest connection to reality.

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There are serious differences in what Ukraine says it received $67 billion military aid and $31 for budget needs compared to the $350 billion figure cited by DJT. DJT calls Zelensky as not legitimately representing Ukraine as no elections can be called in Ukraine in wartime and Zelensky's term expired in 2024, saying should'nt the people of Ukraine be at the table. He also says Ukraine was at the table for 3 years and even a half baked negotiator could have settled this war. What DJT means is that Ukraine could have settled it by promising to stay out of NATO, and remain neutral not joining the EU. It would have given up control over formerly Russia supporting parts of Ukraine in the east that Russia now controls. Ukraine would have returned to being a buffer zone between Western Europe and Russia of today. Even today this has not changed as any peace would not reverse the status quo of control of these eastern regions by Russia. On NATO Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov says- "Trump (DJT) is the first, and so far only Western leader to publicly and loudly say that one of the root causes of the Ukraine situation is the impudent line of the previous administration to draw Ukraine into NATO.” Zelensky's popularity has fallen in Ukraine as the war drags on. DJT says US has put $350 billion in Ukraine and asked for an agreement committing half of Ukraine's rare earth resources to the US. Zelensky says he cannot sell the state out. Zelensky's estimate of US assistance is $67 billion military aid and $31 billion in aid for the budget. ...

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Lori Chavez handles questions from Senators on the Pro Act and trade unions during a nomination hearing. Senator Rand Paul asks for a commitment to letting states that have pro work state laws to be able to keep these laws for labor practices.

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Kirill Dmitriev who has a BA from Stanford and MBA from Harvard was educated in the US and worked for McKinsey and Goldman Sachs. He worked for the US-Russia Investment Fund funded by USAID during the early years in 1990's after fall of Soviet Union. And helped sell off media properties bought at that time for that Fund to the new government. He is now the head of the Russian Sovereign Fund.

He will be a key negotiator to be similar to Witkoff in the Trump team who has a background in real estate deals. 

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  A look at European history shows even in the religious wars between Catholics and Protestants France took the Protestant side when it was in its national interest. Other European nations also did the same in the Thirty Years War 1618-1648. China shifted out of the Soviet Bloc in the 1970's. There is no monolithic way in foreign policy. US sees it in its interest to get a European population Russian on its side or separate from China in meeting the challenge from China. After 3 years of war in which the US relations with Russia deteriorated because of the Ukraine war and US supplying Ukraine under the Biden administration, DJT reverses US policy to improve relations with Russia. The goal is to improve US-Russia relations. Because this also involves ending the Ukraine war that is destroying a whole generation of young men in Russia and Ukraine, US is exploring ways to end that war through early discussions to get a sense of Russian perceptions.This is why the US does not need the Europeans or the Ukrainians at the table. Ways in which US will restore relations-Restore staffing levels at embassies and consulates. Find ways to cooperate on economy and foreign policy issues.   ...

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Biden administration slightly changes wording using  "statehood" as it relates to Taiwan, a well functioning Democracy nation of 23 million people just south of the Korean peninsula. China protests and weeks later it is reversed. The DJT administration is restoring this wording on grounds that US does not want ambiguity, it wants to see a democratic nation be able to follow peaceful coexistence in Asia. Early hints how the world situation is changing with DJT administration's return to "common sense" in policies is that it seeks to bring Russia back into the community of western nations. Restoring relations  reminiscent of when China breaks away from the Soviet bloc in the 1970's, Russia moving away from its subordinate position to China.  American Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg seeks to avoid losing a whole generation of young people in Russia and Ukraine with continued war. America's idea is consistent with Wilson support of China during Sun Yat Sen's 1911 Revolution, FDR and Gen. Joe Stilwell support for China during the Imperial Japanese Army rampage through Asia in 1930's. America does not want to see fellow Europeans an entire generation of young men from Ukraine and from Russia lose their lives in a senseless war. DJT shows America is listening when he says Russia would never accept Ukraine in NATO and some voices in Europe (British, East European) have made it appear that this is possible.. Kasyanov a former senior Russian policymaker says Russia wants to see a new generation structure replacing old outdated institutions from the Cold War. NATO needs to be rethought, and a new institution be formed to replace it that puts behind us the Cold War. This is also a European idea expressed by Macron and other leaders.   ...

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With issues of job losses, deindustrialization, cost of living, climate change, budget allocations to infrastructure shifting to the war in Ukraine and defense preparedness, the divisions in the country from outdated marraige laws is simply incomprehensible.

French Mayor Menard of Mediterranean city Breziers raises issues about French marraige laws and illegal migrants remaining in France, with an illegal migrant ordered to leave making use of this law to remain in France. French marraige laws give automatic right of residence upon marraige to a French citizen and give French nationality in 4 years. Marraiges are conducted by the mayors of a city or his representatives This is an unconventional arrangement. A bill amending these marraige laws is now before the French parliament. This has become an issue in France with the failure to deport 7% of those ordered to leave.

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Ways to complain better and make it work to strengthen relationships, being upfront but in the right way and appreciative of the other person rather than resentful. Try to build understanding, do it at the right moment and after gauging severity. Give people space, opportunity to respond and thank them for listening and giving attention. Aim for honesty, empathy and sincerity for building understanding.  Some patience is helpful. It may surprise you as it leads to growth in a relationship, says this author Joshua Coleman, a Senior Fellow with Council of Contemporary Families.

It applies to children as well as colleagues and couples.