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American Enterprise Institute, conservative think tank, supports Kiel Institute of the World Economy figures that say European Union aid is about double that of the US to Ukraine. Quite the reverse was stated in casual seemingly reckless fashion to 67 million viewers by former president Trump. Moderator David Muir should have had the facts right before him to correct this as this was a much anticipated topic and perennial Trump gripe. The US is not getting creamed- no way, the Europeans are paying up and keen on doing so $187 billion to the US $98 billion. Even with the best of intentions on fact checking this is not good enough from ABC News, or for that matter the rest of the television media - the CBS's, Fox's, NBC's, CNN's, not to mention the internet media, a disservice to democratic process that is built on facts not delusion.  To someone working 2 or 3 part time jobs, or the less literate who can't do quick fact checks that can be time consuming, or educated viewers who hav little inclination to check so much that is being thrown at them- what does it mean to have grievance and grudge thrown at them leaving the impression that the US is incapable when it is in fact greatly strengthening NATO alliance including Sweden and Finland and ties with Western Europe that were damaged over time since the Reagan period in the 1980's.   ...

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Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Doha, all these Gulf International Airports hit by  Iranian strikes 840 drones and 325 ballistic missiles in first 24 hours, most of them intercepted by air defenses March 1 2026.

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Bayern Munich in Champions League semi-finals 2026. Bayern's Neuer in semifinals against Real 2026 helps Guler get the first goal in first 4 minutes.

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This report in FR24 cites the director of research at France's National Institute of Health and Medical Research, Inserm, about the damaging effects of an insecticide used in the French West Indies. The result is that there are violent protests against the vaccine mandate being implemented in the French West Indies. 

The FR24 report says that about a third of the marine coastline, and a third of agricultural land and land for breeding, in the West Indies islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique is polluted by the insecticide chlordecone. The insecticide was first used in banana plantations in the French West Indies against banana insects. The insecticide has now contaminated the soil and groundwater. 

 

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Huge losses similar to parts of the war in World War II- and calls from the US president to stop the war in 2025 and talks in 2026.

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Only teams from Spain France England Italy and Germany win in the Champions League that leaves out Portugal and Hungary with great sporting traditions. Philip Lamm looks at Hungary for The Guardian, a country that made it to the finals of World Cup twice 1938 and 1954. The Danube has great history going back to wins against Bayern Munich in July 1919 in Budapest winning praise in Germany.

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After 3 by-elections in Toronto and Montreal Carney likely to have slim majority in Canadian parliament with 173 seats. The Liberals party has a 10-15% lead over the next party the Conservatives. Under Justin Trudeau Liberals had fallen behind the Conservative party in polling, only to be revived by Mark Carney of the Central Bank of England who sidelined some of the more controversial parts of Trudeau policies and gaining a big win in the recent elections. Carney has tried to find a way to keep Canada independent of US policy and able to chart its own path in the face of US tariffs and trade policy.

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Ella Langley wins 4 Country Music Awards for Dandelion album and song Choosin Texas in May 2026.

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France per capital GDP $46000 compares to Mississippi's $55000- productivity and quality of life in the US vs France -healthcare, pharmaceutical, and vacation time, the serious drawbacks in the US. Lower taxes in the US yet the difference easily evaporating with expensive cost of healthcare and pharmaceuticals in the US, lack of maternity leave and health supporting vacation time.

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JAPAN PM SANAE TAKAICHI VISIT TO INDIA JULY 3, 2026. Deepening of ties between Asia's 2 leading democracies and largest top 5 economies of the world with a combined population of 1.5 billon and a combined purchasing parity GDP of 27 trillion dollars about 60% of China's purchasing power GDP. With the acceleration of the Indian economy to about 8% growth and complementing Japanese capital and Indian ambition the effort will be made to close the gap with China, to establish independent resilient supply chains, and set the new course for Asia as a whole. Once the gap is closed over the next 10 years just Japan India partnership will be the size of the Chinese economy. The American and European Union economies would be the size of the Asian economies also complementing the Japan India partnership, to set a clear course for the world of nations based on the rule of law, open navigation, and peaceful cooperation for development of Africa, Asia and Latin American nations.

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Modi in West Bengal - many rallies across the state for second phase of State Elections and goals for Vikshit Bharat (Modernized India 2047) with West Bengal as a key part in Paribortan or Transformation. The state has lagged far behind other states in India in industrial development, in women's rights, in standards of living, with much of the younger generation finding it hard to find jobs in a largely agricultural economy. State policies of the government have provided poor governance, lack of rule of law, and discouraged industries from setting up in the state, leading to a sense that the future is bleak for the state if this continues for any longer. As this poor state of governance has been happening for 15 years. Bengal played an important part in India's struggle for independence. Post war governments under the Congress party, Communist Party, and a local regional party TMC have all failed in succession to modernize the state economy and build its industries, leaving it as an agricultural backwater for the Indian economy. This election is an opportunity for the new generation of people in their 20's and 30's, for women, for all Bengalis to give modernization working together with the federal government and Modi a chance to set it on a new path to modernization.  ...

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New Delhi home to 30 million people is seeing a spike in coronavirus cases in a second wave with 7000 cases daily and 100 deaths. The Diwali holiday could result in more cases. The drop in air quality comes with winter and thick smog over Delhi at tis time of the year. People with asthma are having a harder time. Doctors and scientists say the combination of poor air quality with the virus increases risk of respiratory illness. 

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Andy Burnham is the first UK prime minister to have a degrees in English literature- a degree from Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. Other prime ministers had degrees in history, Economics, Politics, and classical studies. Blake Morrison says here that a degree in English adds broadmindedness and empathy. Burnham thinks a knowledge of Chaucer ( one of Burnham's favorites), Shakespeare, Orwell and Harrison, has done him well on people's footsteps, as he campaigned in Manchester and Makerfield. This week The conservative press in the Telegraph and The Times, Cambridge University also commented favorably on this. After all a Nation that favors tradition, right down to the monarchy and sessions parliament, in the courts, and in its unwritten Constitution based on precedent, is unlikely to find a knowledge of Chaucer and Shakespeare to be at odds with a knowledge of the people and how to run the country for their benefit in a modern democracy. Economics has become too theoretical and quantitative to the point that it missed completely that China under CCP using an adaptation of a market economy and state planning, could catch up with the United States and Europe within 3 decades, going from bicycles and rural economy to  one of the largest modern transportation networks across the country, and dominating world manufacturing, supply chains and trade. Burnham says this author, professor emeritus from the University of London, could show his father that a degree in English from Cambridge was well worth his time by citing from Tony Harrison's poem called V about the power or words. ...

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Queen Elizabeth II says in her Easter message to Britain- "Coronavirus will not overcome us."

"We need Easter as much as ever." Remembering the tradition of lighting candles at Easter she said: "As dark as death can be - particularly for those suffering with grief - light and life are greater."

"May the living flame of the Easter hope be a steady guide as we face the future."

This is her first Easter message and comes after her televised address to Britain on Sunday March 5th with its rallying message "we will return."