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Angela Merkel left Germany dangerously dependent on Russia for energy supplies that may simply be shut off after maintenance on the Nordstream pipeline. She did even worse on China says this report in The Times that says that it leaves Germany on the hook for billions. There are $200 billion of German investments in China and German business concern is snowballing with new restrictions on operations in China and the deteriorating business sentiment. Worse the entire supply chain for solar energy and other renewable energy products to tackle climate change is dependent on Chinese components. Another failure to prepare for the future under different scenarios. And 46% of German business have supply lines that include components made in China. By grossly underestimating the risks of such dangerous dependence on Russia and on China, and ignoring warnings from the US, Merkel has hit Germany's new elected government of Scholz, Baerbock and Habeck with very serious problems that may take the next five to ten years to sort out. On energy and how to build a whole new supply chain in Asia with the US and its allies Japan, India and other countries. The ultimate irony was that Merkel felt that she was the leader of the free world, and a free world that excluded the US and India. Such is folly. And how she was presented as a good leader in the media is today hard to comprehend. ...

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The President tells the AFL-CIO representing 60 unions and 12.5 million American workers- 

"I truly believe this country is about to take off. I really believe it. We've got a fight on our hands. And my question to you is simple: Are you with me?"

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A former Apple and H-P executive, Jean-Louis Gassee, says the Apotheker decision to exit the PC and tablet business comes from a corrrect evaluation that it is becoming more of a commodity business than ever before, with falling prices and margins. Even a good manager could ony do so much, maybe increase the margins by one or two points, says Mr. Gassee. Apple's profit margins come from its software capabilities and pioneering of new devices that created the kind of demand and exclusivity which other competitors cannot match. Either they had no comparable software capabilities and experience, or lacked the combination of CEO capabilities that Jobs could bring, pioneering software and years of expertise of working with hardware suppliers to create new products.

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John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts renovation with $257 million in private funding halted by Judge May 29 2026. The building would close for 2 years as it needs major repairs to give it and Washington DC a new look in the Nation's capital on the 250th year anniversary.  One of the trustees questioned the plan under the direction of the US president. It will now be appealed above the US District Court level.

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A Story of the American West in 2026- at the BLM Bureau of Public Lands Quartzsite site in Arizona offering camping for $160 for 7 winter months. A story that reflects on an alternative lifestyle for people who were laid off during the pandemic in the restaurant or other business, or people recovering from illness looking for less than fulltime work, as well as others with RV's on recreational trips. No economic exchange most of it on barter basis.

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The acquisition of German PC maker Medion for $909 million by Lenovo. This gives Lenovo 14% of the German PC market. Medion supplies computers and other electronics devices to discount chain Aldi. The largest shareholder in Lenovo's parent company Legend Holdings is the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a government research institution.

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"All I want is freedom for the people,” DJT says said in a phone interview with the Washington Post at around 4 a.m.“I want a safe nation, and that’s what we’re going to have." The nuclear threat from Iran has been the subject of negotiations for years with no tangible results. This nuclear weapons development has led to sanctions and shortages in the economy of Iran with the situation deteriorating and protests in Iran.

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This WSJ report shows the Kimmich goal that won the game for Bayern Munich against Dortmund. Three weeks of practice have improved the goal scoring for many Bundesliga teams. Goals scored as a percentage of opportunities has gone up from 15% to 19% for Bayern, and from 19% to 26% for Dortmund. Dortmund's coach says they made the best of it during three weeks of practice starting in April when within social distancing guidelines the Bundesliga began practice. Lots of technical work, work in front of goal, and stuff they never get to practice. Pandemic practices created so much more time for shooting. The goal that Kimmich made was one that he had done in practice. 

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Bayern soccer opener with Leipzig and Harry Kane hat trick 2025.

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How design is now taking over in PC's with whole new segments of the market such as women, students, young people interested in the way a PC looks. For PC makers there is the Apple example with innovative design as a winner. Better designs command higher prices.

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Acer President Gianfranco Lani says the company will ship between 10 million and 12 million netbooks in 2009, and 32 million to 35 million laptops including netbooks, which suggests that netbooks which sell for as low as $200 are almost half of its laptop/netbook sales. This shift and the pricing and sales pressures in the global economy resulted in a31% dropin profit, and operating margins dropping to 2.2% in the first quarter 2009, compared to 4th quarter 2008.

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French president Macron tells his compatriots that he thanks them for supporting him through this difficult period. "I know I have a duty towards them in the years to come." His health minister Oliver Veran said frankly- "We have also heard the people's message. There will be a change of method. The French people will be consulted."  Macron faced three crises, the pandemic, cost of living increases and war in Europe, as he fought back in the last weeks of the campaign to win the a second term for the first time in 20 years, since Jacques Chirac.

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As advertising plummets for the print edition and costs of printing rise PC magazine decides to shut off its print edition and go enirely into digital web edition, a trend that is accelerating among publishers of magazines and newspapers.

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Japanese prime minister Kishida joins president Biden in deciding not to run again with low popularity ratings and cost of living concerns of the public. The LDP administration of prime minister Kishida put through a $100 billion investment package to revive the economy in November 2023. In the first quarter of 2024 the Japanese economy GDP growth suffered from a 0.7% decline. Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida of the LDP party popularity has remained at around 25% and Kishida has decided not to run again for prime minister. His term expires in 2025. A new LDP leader will be elected. This report says growing voices in the LDP party persuaded Kishida not to run and have a new leader. Inflation which was tame for over a decade has increased with surging prices for oil and gas after the Ukraine war. The situation is similar to the US and EU where rising prices have hurt ordinary people struggling to make a living. Kishida committed Japan to investing 2% of GDP on defense. The effects of economic developments is that the Japanese currency is weakening. ...

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RBI says the Rupees 2000 notes have a life of 4-5 years and they are being withdrawn because they are reaching the end of their life.