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Nikki Haley calls TikTok "a dangerous social media asset" in a Republican debate for presidential hopefuls. Strangely the debate also had in a commercial break an ad for TikTok. Social media has been shown to have an harmful affect on the mental health of children. Use of social media also affects the reading ability and concentration of children and young people. 

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Najib Razak of the UMNO United Malay National Organization who succeeded post independence leader Mahathir Mohamed of Malaysia is implicated in the1MDB scandal that also involved Goldman Sachs. $4.3 billion is estimated to be stolen from the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund. Razak is given a15 year jail sentence in a scandal that has rocked Malaysian politics and reduced confidence in Malaysia's investment for modernization. irreparable harm is done to the nation's British inherited institutions for law and order, responsible parliamentary government, following the long premiership of Mahathir, ethnic nationalist "putra" movement of the UMNO, and the governments that followed Mahathir including Razak. Similar problems have affected other countries with ethnic nationalist movements in Sri Lanka where corruption and mismanagement of the state finances and treasury led to lack of funds for essential imports, and in other countries in Asia. Corrupt practices and misuse of state funds intended for development became a feature of government in Indian states following the rule of the Indian Congress party under Jawaharlal Nehru, with ethnic nationalism creating ethnic states in India, and causing irreparable harm to development and modernization with lack of capital and policy decisions. This has led to the lag of modernization in India with China of about 10-15 years that also affects defense at the Himalayan border with China as China's hybrid state capitalist economy surpassed India and matched the US in 2 decades 2000-2025. Only now is India under responsible governance pushing to close the gap and modernize rapidly under a new government in it's third term. Much of the thinking that accompanied post independence decolonization is now under question with it's assumptions that decolonization alone would lead to development is debunked. Modernization as China and India has learned comes from the good and responsible use of abundant capital, abundant labor, and abundant management resources, abundant technological access, good policy and plans at the federal and state levels, and good sustained leadership from the top. ...

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Yoon Suk Yeol from visit to Biden at White House as South Korea's president to jail sentence for life for ordering arrests and deploying military troops on Dec 3 2024. It shows the unstable situation for democracy and politics in South Korea, with the country polarized. It is much more polarized than the US  or Europe. South Korea may have advanced rapidly with its economy using Japan as a model, yet the political situation in South Korea and the Korean peninsula remains highly unstable. By comparison India has a long history of elected assemblies in the states and regions dating back to the 1936-37 provincial assembly elections under the British- nearing a century of democratic self government by 2036, ten years from now. Even the shorter period of elected government in South Korea was interrupted by dictatorships and the military rule. The Indian Constitution modeled on the unwritten constitution of Britain and the written one in the US, has the allegiance of a population of 1.4 billion people, unprecedented in the history of mankind. There are as many languages in India as in Europe and the media is lively in every language, so that it is an encounter that is the one of the wonders of the world to know and grow up inside India in the second half of the twentieth and the first part of the 21st century. It is also the first modernization effort in the context of Britoish and American democratic forms of government for over 1.4 billion people, almost 2 billion people counting other regions such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, that use India as their role model. The economic dynamism of the region required integration of sorts with the European Union and the US for scientific and industrial cooperation at every level which is now happening. ...

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Walmart is going to require employees to use certain hospitals for costly spine surgeries, an effort to weed out unnecessary procedures and lower healthcare costs. The retailer earlier used a voluntary scheme to get employees to use the hospitals offering lower cost quality care, but found that half of the people needing spine surgery who volunteered to travel decided not to undergo expensive spine surgery. A spinal fusion surgery costs $77,000 at Mayo Clinic which tries to first see if other options of physical therapy can do the job. Walmart has insurance coverage for 1 million people.

Costs are going up and up. The average cost of family health plans from employers is up 5% this year to $20,000, with workers paying one third of cost, a survey by Kaiser Family Foundation shows. 

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Huawei is ready with a new operating system to replace Android following sanctions placed by the U.S. on use of American technology. The new operating system is called HarmonyOS. Huawei says it can switch to this in "just one or two days." 

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Work done by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne using short burst of photothermal energy on biomass to produce hydrogen yet keeping the carbon intact, is shown in this Science article in The Hindu. These experiments and others are looking at the use of hydrogen as a form of renewable energy. Hydrogen has an impressive energy storage capacity which makes it an attractive source for renewable energy.

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A consumption based carbon footprint mapping that was developed by the University of California, Berkeley, is shown in the NYT. It shows different city centers and suburbs in America including New York city and how their consumption based footprints differ. Some places including suburbs and wealthier households drivemore, buy more goods and are responsible for higher emissions than places with better public transportation, that use energy practicing conservation.

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Children are not getting enough time outdoors. The pandemic has worsened this. The Tech company driven changes in use of screen time have added to this with children spending as little as 10 minutes outdoors. The progression of myopia increased by 35% by one estimate after 3 years of the pandemic. Natural sunlight is needed for the eye not to grow longer which contributes to nearsightedness, say researchers.

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What is the difference between a K95 mask and a N95 mask. A K95 mask is based on a Chinese standard. A N95 mask is based on the American standard. The N95 masks was first made by 3M a company making masks for industrial and healthcare use based in Minneapolis, U.S. Tests on K95 masks have shown that many fail to meet basic filtration quality test standards.

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A look at the Torrevieja plant for desalinated water in the NYT by Reed and Chaundler. The plant uses solar energy to cut the cost. Spain is a leader in this technology. The use of desalinated water is expecially useful in places like Saudi Arabia and the Emirates with plenty of sunshine for solar energy and demand for water in cities located near the sea.

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The Southern Nevada Water Authority has cut water consumption coming from the Colorado River by 25% over 2 decades even as population has grown by 50%. It has done this by fining people for excessive use and paying landowners to remove turf grass. One television ad shows a person being scolded for excessive water use and the line "Vegas is enforcing water waste big time."  As a result of water conservation, water pricing, and replacing turf grass, the seven states fed by the Colorado River and the reservoir Lake Mead have seen much improvement in water usage. Lake Mead hit by a drought in the years 2000-2015 is now risen by 25 feet to 1096 feet in 2020 making it 44% full, the highest level in 6 years. The water conservation efforts in Southern California have yielded results. Metropolitan Water District of Southern California gave out $350 million in rebates for replacing turf grass. Irvine Ranch Water District cut drinking water use by 20% with higher pricing for inefficient use beyond a set limit. Building codes are amended preventing turf grass in front of homes. Lawns and golf courses replaced turf grass, with some golf courses using desert landscapes. In this area of 10 million people 200 million square feet of turf grass was taken out. ...

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It is important for a correct sense of the Middle East to see these British Arab states from Kuwait to UAE and Qatar in the context of British India if one is to see them as part of the modern world as India is. This is now US policy under DJT and has been under Biden for a peaceful economically advanced region. A third of Arabian peninsula Arab protectorates were run from British India from 1800 onwards. The Interpretation Act of 1889 listed the states under British India in the Arabian peninsula including Kuwait, Bahrain, Aden now Yemen, Oman, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and they were listed along with Jaipur, Hyderabad and Bhawalpur. British Prime minister Clement Attlee wanted to give independence to these Arab states along with the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947. But this did not happen till 1971. In 1937 the first of many separations from the British Empire in India of Arab states was announced. Aden, now Yemen, was separated from the British Empire in India to the Colonial Empire. British Empire authorites in Delhi never wanted to administer these Arab states even though the British Indian Political Service ran each of these states till 1971. They were very poor and lacking basic infrastructure, things changed only after the discovery of oil in late 1930's. ...

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India's development of the India Middle East Corridor with rail and infrastructure links is a plan that is pursued with cooperation of Saudis, UAE, Kuwait and Gulf region. This is an economic development plan that seeks to invest in the entire South and West Asian region. Just as Europe after 2 wars has emerged from that with the French, Germans, Spain, Italy and Eastern Europe forming  the European Economic Community that later became the European Union, the Gulf states and India which faces the Gulf states across the Arabian Sea are seen as one region that can trade with the European bloc and the US on better terms. A lot of the investments that were wasted in wars are now being channelled into infrastructure development and regional development with resources of manpower from India and with assistance from the US. Le Monde should say that it is good for all- geopolitics and socialist or religious ideologies led to so many wars in the Middle East. Modi is from Gujarat where priorities are not religion- priorities are trade and the economy since the overseas trade from the 14th century. ...

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US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says president Biden's $2 trillion plan for workers and families is aform of modern supply side economics. Where the old supply side economics failed with deregulation causing environmental damage and tax cuts on capital did not achieve promised gains, she says the new "modern supply side economics seeks to increase economic growth by boosting labor supply and raising productivity, while reducing economic inequality and environmental damage." Biden plan seeks to use common sense ideas that are more likely to work by investing in education, healthcare, child care, helping more women be productive in the workplace and tapping into their skills, investing in social cohesion essential for democracy by giving all sections of the people better opportunity for a better life, and creating a ground for fairness in taxes to finance the public infrastructure that will make the US a leading economy in the world that serves all its people. In that sense it is even wider and deeper in both intent and purpose than any term such as supply side economics that economists and politicians use. ...

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Depleting ground water reserves are leading to water shortages in India's cities. About 40% of India's people lack drinking water by 2030, according to government think tank NITI Aayog 2018 report. Water shortages are hitting cities such as Chennai. This report looks at the water shortage in remote Himalayan region Ladakh. WOrld Resources Institute points out that India is the 13th most water stressed country in the world, with a population three times the combined population of 16 countries that are water stressed. By 2030 water demand will double in India. The government is giving drinking water top priority in its plan for the next 5 years as key to development.  One of the problems is that farmers in the northern plains pay little for gorundwater use resulting in the planting of water intensive crops. The government plans to promote conservation of water as a national priority with education on this subject of water critical to achieving its objective of providing 100%  access to drinking water for Indians. Drip irrigation with minimal water use is also being encouraged to conserve water. ...

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It is not that this or that economic thinking is right, what is right is scientific observation of how "We the People" perform under different economic foundations and coming up with what works without ideology. This report writes about Pettis and Lighthizer, who have made observations and economic advice about reindustrialization through judicious use of tariffs. The difference between Biden/Harris/ Walz and Trump/Vance in 2024 is that Biden has already put in place a massive infrastructure and American manufacturing plan with government assistance to industry where nothing comparable except tariffs was done in the four years of the Trump administration. Biden/Harris plan to use tariffs selectively to promote reindustrialization while also giving other countries and competitors opportunities to compete- a win-win for the World Economy. The former president's blanket tariffs on all products without direct financial support to American manufacturing and consumers is thus not based on a combination of scientific observation and common sense as reindustrialization requires a calibrated common sense approach to the situation the US faces. ...

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After a chemical attack by the Assad government in Syria in 2013 Trump urged president Obama not to make air strikes on Syrian government targets, saying jobs, healthcare and other priorities should be remembered. After the use of chemical weapons in April 2017 by the Syrian government and the outrage following media photographs of the men, women and children who suffered from the brutal attack, Trump had changed his mind. The graphic images led to a change of heart. President Trump said that "it was in the vital national security interest of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons." Reports on CNN state the president was offered two options to strike several airfields or one airfield near Homs in Syria, just before meeting China's president Xi Jinping. He chose the latter option and went on to his meeting with China's president. Pictures on the internet show Trump with key advisers, Mcmaster, Tillerson and others huddled together in a room at the Mar Lago resort following the strikes. It may be a decisive moment in the Syrian conflict as it was an expression of disapproval and action with the use of chemical weapons in any conflict. ...

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The Editorial Board of the WSJ points out the differing opinions on the Ukraine conflict in the Republican party. It says the benefits to the US far outweigh any costs. It also describes the oversight over use of the funds given as military or humanitarian aid assistance.

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Abbott Laboratories agreement to pay $1.6 billion in civil and criminal fines for promoting unapproved off label uses of the neurologic drug Depakote, to sedate older patients in nursing homes. The acting associate attorney general, Tony West, said: "Not only did Abbott engage in off-label promotion, it targeted elderly dementia patients and down played the risks apparent from its own clinical studies." Abbott aggressively promoted its use in nursing homes. It also aggressively promoted the use of the drug for schizophrenia between 2001 and 2006. In 1999 Abbott had to discontinue a clinical trial testing Depakote's effectiveness against dementia after results showed increased incidence of anorexia, drowsiness and dehydration.

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GM says it will end traditional pension contributions and instead use a 401 (K) plan. GM's pension plan was underfunded by $8.7 billion as of Sept 30, 2011. GM will also freeze salaries for 26,000 salaried workers. Salaried workers will get an extra week of vacation. GM's 48,500 UAW union represented hourly workers will receive bonuses under a formula dependent on profitability and quality. Salaried employees will receive smaller bonuses because other metrics such as free cash flow and earnings before interest and taxes, and not just profit, are used to determine bonuses. GM's management sees GM as not having enough margins to reduce risk to the level it should be. The pension shortfall and the losses in Europe are also on their minds. Margins at GM lag behind compettitors. GM's margins are at about 6%, compared to Hyundai and BMW having margins of 10% in 2011. These changes come as GM plans to show a record profit of $8 billion in 2011. Management sees no room for complacency after the missteps in the last decade leading to the government bailout. A strategic decision made by GM in 2011 was to reduce the overhang of high inventory by reducing production, changing the way GM operates now compared to the years before bankruptcy....

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Portugal's new drug policy that emphasizes treatment over criminal prosecution for possession of drugs. To be clear police stop and confiscate any drugs found and drugs are still illegal. Its only that instead of sending offendors to court and jail, the offendors are sent for treatment and community work, and assigned to dissuasion teams consisting of team of psychologists and social workers who work to keep recreational users from getting addicited and help with treatment for others. The Economist reports that this approach is producing better results than the previous system that empasized judicial processes and criminalization for drug use.

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A law that is in the Must Have category for Parents, School teachers and Educated Children in the US, Canada, Britain and India, finally gets passed in Australia. Of huge benefit to Australian Parents and School Teachers- after December 10 2025 social media Meta Tik Tok and You Tube are required to remove all under 16 accounts. Chinese children and school teachers, parents have the benefit of such laws regulating the use of social media which in the current climate of license, of leaving childrens, parents and school teachers to fend for themselves, leaving young girls to fend for themselves, has not happened in other nations.

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France's prime minister Edouard Philippe announces hard line measures after rioting in Paris in yellow vest protests.

Yellow vest protests will be banned in worst hit neighborhoods in Paris. The Paris police chief was replaced after violence, looting and arson in the Champs Elysees area of Paris. 10,000 gilets jaunes yellow vest protestors marched in Paris. Police have come under criticism for excessive use  of force. Hand held rubber bullet launchers and explosive sting grenades are some of the devi ces used  by police. The government says not enough force was used. Philippe said "inappropriate orders were given to reduce use of rubber bullet launchers. He says there should be a hardening of France's doctrine of law and order.

Suggests an impasse has been reached between the government and protestors.

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The Guardian shows pictures of empty vaccination center in Erfurt, Germany, as the use of the Astra Zeneca vaccine is temporarily paused. The European Medicines Agency says the vaccination benefits far outweighs any side effects from rare blood clots. UK Health and Medicine Regulatory Agency and health experts also confirm this. Astra Zeneca says its trials showed fewer blood clots in those people who were vaccinated than in the people not vaccinated.

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The Delta variant is bringing back the sense of how important a role masks play in controlling the pandemic even as more of the population gets vaccinated. Fan filled soccer stadiums and sports activities, entertainment activities, where social distancing is not practiced, is increasing risks of spreading the virus. Mask use is seen as an essential defense in preventing spread of the coronavirus worldwide and in every country.