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Fears that nuclear facilities that are spread out thoughout the country of Pakistan could fall into Taliban hands. Especially one scenario in which the nuclear facility is moved and an insider tips off the Taliban, later it is taken by Taliban as it is being transported. Even as the terrorism increases in Pakistan, the country is continuing to produce more plutonium and more nuclear reactors. An estimated 70 to 100 nuclear weapons are located in Pakistan. Americans gave $100 million for securing these facilities and for security, but have no idea where that money went. And when it comes to the nuclear facilities the USA has no idea where they are, and is facing a dead end of "don't worry" from Pakistani military officials, increasing the concern from the Americans, as the same assurances were made about the sale of nuclear technology by Pakistani scientists in the black market. These claims turned out to be true. This time the US is not about to take any chances, and the Pakistani military is loath to disclose more information about the location of nuclear facilities, because the US may blow them up if the Taliban are seen as a threat to those facilities....

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The Moderna vaccine can be more easily shipped and handled than the Pfizer vaccine making it easier to use at smaller hospitals and in rural areas. Moderna would add 20 million doses in December to that of Pfizer's 25 million doses for the U.S. Moderna vaccine is developed in Cambridge Massachusetts Labs and is manufactured in the U.S. and Switzerland.  Moderna vaccine can be stored in freezers does not require ultra low temperatures as Pfizer vaccine. Once thawed it can be stay refrigerated for 30 days compared to 5 days for Pfizer vaccine. Moderna ships in containers of 100 vaccine doses or larger, Pfizer minimum container size is for 975 doses. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are in th 94-95% effectiveness range. Moderna can be injected as is, Pfizer's requires to be diluted in a separate solution. On Dec. 11 the U.S. ito double its purchase of Moderna vaccine to 200 million doses by end of June, Pfizer 's is still at 100 million doses. Moderna may get its approval from FDA in U.S. by Dec. 18. Both Moderna and Pfizer would require a second dose in 3 weeks, both use the same MrnA technology. J&J is developing a vaccine that requires only one dose. J&J finishes its trials in January and expects approval in February.  ...

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In Germany's consensus based politics the term flip flop does not have the negative meaning it does in other countries. Chancellor Merkel is adept at presenting changes in policy as coming from careful thought and analysis. She has remained Chancellor for the longest period since Chancellor Kohl, doing this by co-opting the positions of other parties including the SPD. On refugees, atomic energy, same sex marraige, and other issues Merkel has adopted positions that reflect the majority of people.  As the magazine editors of Der Spiegel told Merkel in an interview she is the best chancellor the socialist SPD party ever had. Merkel has the unique ability of doing this and still sounding genuine in a way few leaders could. This may be the result of her background and life as the daughter of a pastor in East Germany who professed socialist ideals and yet was part of the opposition to the GDR regime and reflected changes in Germany as the Berlin Wall came down in 1990. Merkel joined the Democratic Awakening just as the German people in the east gave up on the communist regime. Merkel first major change was on the nuclear energy policy after the Fukushima disaster in Japan. Yet looking at it one can see that Merkel could present her change in belief as sincere. Under Merkel Germany has shifted away from nuclear energy and coal in a way no other nation has. It is now considered one of her most positive achievements in Germany. On the refugee crisis she also shifted her views on the need for enhanced security and on putting in place controls in an agreement with Turkey, addressing the causes of migration in home countries. As a result Merkel now has over 60% support in polls before this weeks election in Germany in September 2017. Contrast this with the sharp decline in support for Sarkozy and Hollande in France, Cameron and now Theresa May in Britain, and for other leaders in the U.S., and one can see how Merkel is different. It has much to do with sincerity and authenticity as a politician. Her favorite soup is potato soup, she drives a VW Golf small car, and lives modestly, shopping in the local grocery store. When it comes to protecting ordinary German people in what Germany owes in bailouts to indebted countries she could be tough with bankers and politicians. All this makes people of different political views see something valuable and to be respected in Angela Merkel, particularly at times like this. ...

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1. PETROBRAS KNOWHOW IN DEEP-WATER DRILLING HONED IN DEEPWATERS 100 MILES FROM RIO. In the 1970's Petrobras discovered oil in the coastal area near Maca. Later geological tests showed large deposits more than 100 miles offshore and more than a mile deep underwater. Senior Petrobras engineers worked with manufacturers to develop pressure resistant instruments and the hardware needed to drill deeper. This technology was developed over the years and Petrobras has now honed its skills in deepwater drilling. Since then Petrobras has become the leader in deepwater drilling.. The fact that Brazilian oil was offshore made Brazil focus on offshore oil exploration and use the Atlantic ocean near Brazil for one big R&D project. Petrobras uses floating platforms, of which many are converted oil tankers. These platforms are more agile in deep and remote waters and better weater waves and storms. Petrobras gets 90% of its oil from the waters over 100 miles north east of Rio de Janeiro from a cluster of 38 such platforms. The floating platforms are like large ships that can be connected to hoses to pumping points on the seabed. 2. PETROBRAS INVESTMENTS IN OVERSEAS OFFSHORE DEEPWATER OIL PRODUCTION. Petrobras has the size and profits to have global reach and make the large investments and bring deepwater expertise to other regions. It is 55.7% state owned. Production was 1.9 million barrels a day in 2006. Sales of $45 billion and profits of $10 billion for 2005. The 2005 profit was a 50% increase from 2004. Countries where Petrobras is working include Angola, Tanzania, Turkey and India. Petrobras has stated that it will increase overall investments by 66% in the next 4 years investing $87 billion, mostly on exploration and production from 2007 to 2011. Of that $12.1 billion will be invested overseas for new platforms off the Gulf of Mexico and new fields off the coast of Nigeria and Angola. Petrobras plans to invest $2 billion in the Gulf of Mexico for deepwater drilling. ...

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The decline in the U.S. television advertising market accelerates in 2015. Viacom Inc. (Nickeodeon and MTV) sees a decline in TV domestic advertising revenue of 9% for the 2nd quarter of 2015, as its TV ratings decline. CBS Corp and Disney (ESPN) see a 3% decline. 21st century Fox with FOX network and shows such as "American Idol" and "The Following," sees a large decline in its television ad revenue of 14%. In the week of August 4-6, 2015, the share prices of these media companies were hit hard. Viacom shares declined by 21%, Fox 13%, Disney 11%. Earlier gains for digital ad revenue were from print, now the gains are at the expense of television budgets. Companies such as Allstate, Mondelez, Wendy's, MasterCard, Honda, P&G, are shifting to digital from television to follow millenials. Experts at ad buying firms say advertisers are tracking young consumers and following them to digital platforms. Viacom's Nickelodeon and MTV are hit particularly hard by the growing shift to kids shows on Netflix and to You Tube, and Amazon Prime Instant Video. Linear TV and interruptions for advertising is also accelerating the move, when other ad free or less advertising options are now easily available. By 2018 the digital ad spending will overtake television ad spending, digital getting $83 billion and television dropping to $78.6 billion....

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Efforts by BNP Paribas to get bondholders to take a 50% loss on Greek bonds, and exchange their old bonds for new ones that mature in 50 years. BNP Paribas is working for the Greek government to get other banks and bondholders to accept this exchange so that Greece can tackle its debt load and interest payments on debt. Some arm twisting by BNP Paribas to get bondholders who have insurance through CDS to accept the exchange. This is being done on the grounds that the I.S.D.A. committe would declare the restructuring in Greece as being "voluntary" and not a default, so that bondholders who do not accept this deal would not get paid through CDS insurance.

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Many people don't lose weight using semaglutide the drug in Ozempic. About a third lose less than 10% or less and those who lose weight its about 5%-20%. A lot more effective and sure to work as one gets older, safer is to change one's diet to a healthy diet that includes nuts, fruits and vegetables and healthier grains called ancient grains. There is so much potential in that because for two decades people have neglected it and gone inthe wrong direction. Say a simple exercize routine and healthy food intake each contribute 10%, and wellbeing/wellness with nature or meditation/ travel  another 10% you have 30% improvement that will stay forever as new habits get to replace the old. Its called NEFTY Nature, Exercise, Food, Travel, Youthfulness. And its synergistic meaning that one fits into the other more you do in one helps promote the others. Healthier food gets you in the in the right amounts gets you inclined to more exercise, travel adds to the sense of wellbeing, and Nature complements it all. Just taking a walk with bare feet in the grass, seeing the trees and the flowers and the birds in Spring outdoors gets you to feel better and great, nothing that artificial drugs can do. The next thing your blood tests will surely come out better, your next health exam will be better. NEFTY is the process and it is all about process, when the process is good the results for overall health are good one can be sure of that. And this converts into higher productivity and a better feeling at work creating a virtuous cycle. As a people one has neglected it for too long. A little effort for every kind of person reaps huge results. JUST DO IT. ...

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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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Tesla with a tiny falling market share of 6% in China is being outmaneuverd in China even as it gains benefits for the company and for CEO Elon Musk. It fails to make Tesla competitive in world markets ceding leadership to China.  Tesla gets 68% of 2023 profits of $10 billion from China operations. China operations of Tesla produced 947,000 electric cars 53% of its total with China sales at 600,000. Tesla was able to complete the large factory near Shanghai, the largest of its 7 plants, in record time with assistance from China's government. Elon Musk knows premier Li Qiang of China a Shanghai Communist party official which facilitated the building the Chinese plant, lower 15% tax rate instead of 25% till 2023. This 2023 1 million car production is actually not giving Tesla a foothold in the Chinese market, as Tesla's market share is falling from 7.8% to 6% of the market. What it has given China's local companies such as BYD is a world level competitor for China's local companies to compete with, learn from as China develops its own world class electric manufacturing capabilities. BYD has its own unique battery technology and is making the batteries in house. Local companies dominate a very competitive landscape in which there is very little room for error, with companies consolidating. This suggests that Tesla may be an insignificant competitor in China in the future even as it has enhanced its profitability as a company in its domestic American market with its China operation.   ...

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The U.S. Border Patrol apprehended 327,577 illegal immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in fiscal year 2011, ending Sept 30. This is a steep decline from the 1.6 million apprehended crossing the border in 2000. The numbers have been dropping since the 2009 financial crisis and high unemployment in construction and other trades employing migrants. The figures for 2011 suggest a drop of about 25% from 2010. Researchers at the Pew Hispanic Center, say the balance now is about zero for people entering the U.S. across the border from Mexico and people returning to Mexico. In fact there are stories of money being sent to migrant workers without jobs in the U.S. by families in Mexico, which has affected the flow of migrant workers.

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American, Alaska Airlines, and Southwest Airlines are the only 3 airlines that never filed for bankruptcy. Analysts say that this has left it with a higher cost structure, and estimate that American's costs would be $600 million lower if it has the contracts Delta and Continental have. Delta Airlines merger with Northwest in 2008, and the planned merger of Continental and United, does not affect American Airlines management. CEO Arpey sees American as more nimble and trying to build something profitable, and sees being smaller than these newly merged competitors an advantage. American is focussed on markets around 5 major cities- Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and New York. In international travel it has One World partnerships with British Airways and Japan Airlines.

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Instead of going through layers of executives before speaking to the CEO, quality chiefs at Toyota now speak directly with the CEO. Mr. St. Angelo who heads the Quality group at Toyota for the American region met directly recently with Mr Akio Toyoda. There are in all 6 Quality chiefs for six regions worldwide. Akio's questioning during a Congressional investigation appears to be a turning point and he is determined to shake things up. He choked up at the National Press Club in Washington while thanking employees and dealers for their support. See the links to Akio Toyoda for Akio's education and experience in the U.S., which may have better prepared him for this challenge than his more parochial mindset predecessors who lacked this type of background.

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George Papandreou's approach and demeanor has helped rather than hindered finding solutions to the debt crisis in Greece. He has emphasized keeping a modest profile and doing the things that matter most- getting straight down to what Greece needs to do to address its problems when talking to European leaders, putting economic experts like Stiglitz in his inner circle so that he is well aware of how others see Greece's problems, setting a role model for his ministers in cutting down on expensive spending habits. Taking out the BMW and driving a Prius may be just for appearance, but actions like these combined with quiet but decisive steps, are needed to set the right tone as Greece shifts to austerity measures and reduces state spending.

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The financial system for mortgages and the legal system are on a collision course say experts. The courts require due process, and one expert discounts reassurances from banks, because it does not go into how easily banks can prove ownership of the underlying mortgages. A legal expert at Georgetown University, sees a scenario in which the whole system comes to a halt, if instead of being lost, it is shown that mortgage documents were not properly transferred during each step of the securitization process. Much of the paperwork was rushed through in a mass production line during the recent wave of foreclosures, because the banks did not have the people and technology in place to deal with it- as pointed out in a Washington Post investigative report.

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India has reduced imports of oil from Iran from 12% in 2011 to about 9% by the end of April, 2012. A senior state department official from the U.S., Carlos Pascual, will be in India in mid May 2012 to assess the energy situation and see what specific energy facilities in India need to do. Some of the refineries in India are designed to handle only the kind of heavy oil Iran supplies. For the U.S. the issue is keeping up the pressure on Iran during the talks in Istanbul, Turkey, on Iran's nuclear program. For India it has the vital trade and economic relationship with the U.S. balanced against cultural ties to the region and the need for oil supplies.

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After some ill timed acquisitions Tata Sons is strapped for cash. The value of Tata Sons holdings in the group's 27 listed companies has halved in less than a year to under $25 billion. This leaves Tata Sons, the parent company of the Tata group, strapped for cash, as one way it raises cash is by offering its equity stakes as collateral to lenders. A cash crunch is evident at Tata Motors with $2 billion of debt from the acquisition of Jaguar Land Rover due by June. Tata has to get its banks to roll over this debt. And this week Tata Steel whose shares are down 76% in a year stated that Tata Sons has pledged 13.2% of the company as collateral against borrowings.

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With Democrats controlling 51 votes and 11 Republican votes needed in the Senate to reach the 60 votes for passing aid to automakers legislation, the whole issue remains clouded for now. Politicians of both parties made statements but the reality is that there is not enough support in Congress for aid to automakers. And if the $25 billion that has been already approved for retooling plants for higher fuel efficiency is now released for salaries and operations by congressional vote to change this it still has to pass a poosible veto by President Bush. And Republican opposition is hardening as they call for real changes in how these companies are being run and at the same time some Democrats may also support this position.

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A democracy activist in China inspired by Nelson Mandela who now teaches at National Chengchi University in Taiwan.

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The title may not reflect the content of this report on Admiral Giroir who heads the U.S. coronavirus testing effort. He is a pediatrician who worked for hospitals in Texas before heading a vaccine project at Texas A&M University.  Internal politics led to his resigning from the effort to build a vaccine development capability with pharmaceutical companies at Texas A&M. Most of the rest of this report shows a physician who is determined to pursue big projects such as the one he is tackling today. President Trump appointed him to lead FDA, and to be the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. With the missteps of Secretary Azar testing suffered in the early months of the crisis as reported in the WSJ. Adm. Giroir has taken a leading role since  this period. He also heads the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps of 6200 staff playing a vital role. On March 13 he was asked to lead the effort in testing.  He comes to this role with experience in the field of vaccines realizing that "the challenges are not just biological but engineering." New technology would be needed to make massive amounts of vaccine. His idea is that transformational efforts are needed. His idea for a billion dose per month facility in Texas did not work, yet he worked on it for about 5 years from 2010 to 2015 at Texas A&M University, at one point being the vice chancellor. He was selected by Texas Governor Perry as chairman of the task force in Texas in 2014 to oversee the effort to fight the Ebola virus. He now is in a position to bring all his experience and aspirations to tackle the coronavirus, cutting through much of the red tape and bureaucracy, and pulling together the effort combining science of pharmaceutical companies with the technology of manufacturing billions of vaccine doses in a record time. Today he sees capacity for testing reaching 40-50 million tests a month by September 2020.   ...