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The move by Peugeot and Fiat Chrysler to merge is seen as an effort to use consolidation as a way to tackle depressed demand. Ford and GM are struggling in foreign markets, as Toyota and VW have expanded in foreign markets, and Geely has expanded in China with stakes in Daimler and Volvo AB. Added costs for the shift to electric cars, higher emissions standards,  are also hurting car makers. Global new car sales of 96 million in 2018 are expected to decline by 4% in 2019, and remain sluggish, with the U.S. China trade war and Brexit taking its toll. Some car companies are particularly affected. Chrysler's European car factories ran at about 52% in 2018, well below European industry average of 73%.

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The Medicare for All movement in the U.S. gathers momentum after the U.S. midterm elections with states. Governor Newsom of California says he will seek federal authority to setup a state single payer plan for health insurance. An expert at Georgetown University says there is a new burst of energy for broader coverage or universal health coverage. States with new governors or seeing this momentum are California, Washington, New Mexico, Maine, Nevada, Delaware, Oregon, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois. Polls show a large majority of Americans now support Medicare for All as a form of universal health coverage for all Americans, a system that prevalent in Canada for the last 50 years. Two hearings will be held in Congress on Medicare for All in 2019.

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A new trend is underway to automate retail stores to reduce waiting time for customers in lines and create cost savings. This can be seen at the Amazon Go experimental convenience shop in downtown Seattle. 

The world's top retailers are doing this in the competition with Amazon. Being tested are robots to keep shelves stocked and apps that would enable buyers to ring up items on a smartphone.

About 30-50% of retail jobs around the world could be at risk say experts if automated checkout is fully implemented. 

At Amazon Go convenience store hundreds of cameras in the ceiling automatically keep count of items placed in shoppers carts and charge the customer the total amount as he goes out. 

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Ivan Rogers, Britain's former ambassador to the European Union says ideas about liberation are fantasies, just fantasies. There would be endless negotiation on every issue. After 2 years of negotiations most of the tough questions about Britain's future trading relations with the European Union remain unanswered.

Some just want to get on with the job, including Mrs. May. But the tough questions are not going away as a cross party group in parliament seeks to take control of the process and call for an extension under Article 50 for the March 29 deadline. In addition to the intra party divisions and lack of cooperation from the Labor party, there are doubts in Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland about future relations.

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India's airline market has grown from 51 million passengers in 2010 to 138 million in 2018. 600 planes are in operation with 859 on order. The airline industry in India is experiencing intense competition and putting some airlines such as Jet Airways in trouble as they compete with low cost carriers such as Indigo.

Jet Airways has temporarily stopped operating its 115 planes on about 1000 routes as it has failed to win new funding. This could lead to higher prices. Fuel prices and depreciation of the rupee hurt Jet Airways.  A problem for Indian airlines is the thin margins and the uncertain oil price environment. Etihad Airways took a 24% stake in Jet Airways but that partnership has not prevented Jet from having problems with lenders.

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Remote work offers flexibility yet household chores and childcare make it feel like they are doing two jobs. Women hold 79 million jobs in 2024 Labour Department says. Of the prime age group of 25-54 years 78% of women are working or seeking work. Women doing remote work sometimes feel caught in a situation where after the pandemic and years of doing childcare and chores they do not have the opportunities of fulltime work that men have.

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Profit outlook for global airlines dims with the sluggish global economy and high fuel prices. This is affecting most airlines including Etihad and Emirates airlines in the Middle East. Qantas forecast a 91% drop in pretax profits for the fiscal year ending June 2012 falling to A$50 million.

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Former QWest CEO was convicted of insider trading for selling $52 million in stock in Qwest when he knew the company's finances were failing. He was sentenced to 6 years in prison. Some of the people involved in the previous tech bubble are being sent to prison years later.

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Safety violations at American Airlines. The FAA imposes fines for failure to follow proper drug testing procedures, failure to perform necessary maintenance. The FAA says even after being alerted American flew planes for 10 more flights with defective autopilots, in all 58 flights were made without proper maintenance.

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In Spain regional governments finance the costs of education, health care, more than elsewhere in Europe. Analysts in Spain say the spending went out of control during the boom years of the last decade. Governments from Catalonia, Valencia to Andalusia spent lavishly in these years on everything from stadiums to theme parks and hired many public employees. Regional revenues have gone down by 9% in the last 2 years and local governments in Spain are now trying to raise $57 billon in the debt markets, more than any other local governments in Europe, except for Germany. And regional governments like the government in Catalonia are paying 3.3%, one percentage point above what the Spanish government is paying. Spain's local governments have $200 billion in debt, and more spending cuts are expected as tax revenues continue to fall short. Spain's economy is expected to decline by 0.3% in 2010.

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German leadership in the eurozone and the EU- with the strong stand for eurozone countries to do their economic homework and restore fiscal balance, and the action taken to bring the EU countries together on Russian intervention in Ukraine- is leading to questions about the dominant role played by Germany. Chancellor Merkel has played a leadership role partly because of the absence of other leaders with strong support in their home base who could provide such leadership. Merkel's poll rating in Germany actually shot up during the eurozone crisis from 40% in 2010 to 70% in 2013, and steady at 67% in June 2015, as German taxpayers and voters see Merkel as preventing debt ridden countries in the eurozone passing on higher costs in the debt crisis to Germany. With German wages kept low for the last decade to ensure a economic recovery and lower unemployment, Germans see no reason to support other eurozone countries when a low wage sector exists inside Germany, except under conditions that ensure fiscal balance. In a Harris poll taken in France June 30-July 1, 2015, Chancellor Merkel is rated higher at 43% expressing approval compared to 36% saying they approve of French premier Hollande's handling of the Greece and eurozone crisis. Over 50% of people in Spain and in France disapprove of Merkel's handling of the eurozone crisis, yet two thirds of France's main centre right party support Merkel's handling of the eurozone crisis. In the Harris poll when asked how Merkel, IMF, Hollande and Tsipras handled the Greece crisis people polled in France gave 43% approval to the IMF and Merkel compared to 36% for Hollande and Tsipras of Greece, and 60% disapprove of Hollande and Tsipras handling of the crisis compared to 53% disapproval for the IMF and Merkel. The Christian Democrats party in Germany has dominant leaders in its tradition starting with Konrad Adenauer in the early postwar years, through the Kohl years during reunification and Merkel in the eurozone crisis. By contrast the Social Democrats from the period under Wily Brandt, through the Schmidt years and Schroeder have operated under more of a consensus leadership. Under Sigmar Gabriel or some other Social Democratic leader Germany is likely to have a different style of leadership in the future, especially because the German public does not favor Germany playing this kind of dominant role. At different points in the eurozone crisis Merkel's leadership was needed for decisionmaking- making banks take a 50% writedown on their loans in negotiation with Charles Dallara in Brussels, calling for Italy's president to bring in a new government (led by Mario Monti) when premier Berlusconi failed to make needed changes, and providing flexibility for spending rules for Spain, Italy and France. Merkel has actually moved to the centre to maintain popular support inside Germany, especially since the new coalition government was formed with Social Democrat leader Sigmar Gabriel. On the other major issue of immigration Merkel has provided decisive leadership to prevent the rise of anti-immigrant parties in Germany. Herfried Munkler, author of "Power in the Middle," about why Germany is playing this role may provide clues to Germany's role- by representing different aspects of German public opinion Merkel has prevented the rise of right wing populist or nationalist parties in Germany, which would distort the German narrative about what it sees as its role in keeping Europe together after three wars. ...

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Steve Bannon is described in this indepth report by Scott Shane as a workaholic, born to working class family with his father a telephone line operator, who went to Virginia Tech and joined the Navy in the hope of advancing a career in politics. At Virginia Tech he won a leadership position of the student organization. He was described by another student who knew him well as passionate but not likely to get much done. The period at Virginia Tech and in the Navy were the Carter years followed by election of Ronald Reagan. The election of Reagan had a huge influence on Bannon- the same overtones of that campaign of Reagan are seen today in the forgotten men and women, white working class families that Conservatives then and Tea Party Conservatives in the Obama years felt ignored. The downward drift of the lower middle class families that saw incomes drop as manufacturing hollowed out in the U.S. with foreign competition, the failure of establishment politicians of both parties to protect American manufacturing and working class families, added to the sense of angst for Bannon. Bannon just like politicians in the Obama camp such as Emmanuel, found the way to politics through finance and gains made as the banking sector and financial institutions made huge financial gains by 2008. This was a stepping stone for their political ambitions. Emmanuel who is also a workaholic and passionate about his views worked to elect a black president, Bannon choosing to do the opposite and push for bringing back the Reagan era. Most on the liberal side see him as part of a racist movement. Reagan was none of those things. How does one reconcile the two? It is possible that seeing the fight against the established politics as an impossible task, Bannon in his passionate temperament did not object to the support of right wing extremists, in the same way that Trump did. As both Trump and Bannon have people of Jewish origin and black people in their circle of friends or family. What incensed Bannon as described here by Scott Shane of the NYT, was that after the financial crisis of 2008, hardly any bank executives who had committed wrongdoing went to jail, his father's line operator retirement savings were devastated by the financial crisis, and working class families struggled harder than ever, that his daughter at West Point was with mostly children of working class families who were the ones fighting America's wars. Many ironies abound in the story. Bannon got his business start in the same financial institutions that were involved in the financial crisis of 2008, Bannon & Co was acquired by Societe Generale. He is from an Irish Catholic working class family in Richmond and attended Benedictine High School, with a mother Doris that worked on the campaign to elect Douglas Wilder, a Democrat, as the first African American governor of Virgina.  The other ironies are in that Bannon sees Trump as "an imperfect vessel" but still good enough, and Trump sees himself as "making all the decisions" when asked about Bannon, as a range of interests struggle to form a coherent movement on the right in American politics- an unlikely combination of a telephone operator's son and real estate magnate's son who built his own real estate business in luxury real estate towers far removed from ordinary men and women they represent. ...

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Microsoft's sale of its 50% stake in MSNBC.com to NBC News in July 2012 for $300 million.

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In Pennsylvania the winner of the primary gets only 14 delegates. 54 delegates are not pledged to any candidate. The deadline was Feb 16, and a few Trump supporters got on the ballot for delegate in some Congressional districts without any support from the Trump organization in a lone effort. Pennsylvania has a very well organized Republican Party, which is described as preferring pragmatic candidates and has a top down leadership structure. Senator Rubio of Florida has three supporters on the ballot in each of 18 congressional districts. Even on the first ballot at the Republican convention these 54 candidates can support the presidential candidate they choose. This has not been well understood even in the media, with the Economist and other news outlets describing Pennsylvania incorrectly as a winner take all contest for a sweep by Donald Trump of northeastern U.S. states delegates.

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Everything Everywhere, is a joint venture between T-Mobile and France Telecom. It is the market leader in Britain in mobile phone services since it was formed in 2010. Now Telefonica's O2 UK and Britain's Vodafone will form a 50-50 joint venture to combine their wireless grid so that they can reduce costs, invest in innovation and setup a new broadband LTE (Long Term Evolution technology) network. This will help both companies compete more effectively in the British market. It is not a merger as both companies will continue to run competing services. This type of arrangement is becoming popular in Europe because of the high costs of building one's own LTE network, and makes sense, say analysts, because quality is perceived by customers in terms of speed and reliability of service than simply coverage. O2 sees the potential of reducing cell tower masts by 10% with the new venture.

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Recent polls in Serbia show support for joining the European Union at 50% and those opposed 34%. President Boris Tadic says EU is no paradise, but joining the EU and adopting its standards will move Serbia forward. He is campaigning for presidential elections in Serbia on a outspokenly pro-EU platform.

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A 52% cut in state funding to universities in Pennsylvania. Democrats say the cuts in funding for 18 public universities from $1.2 billion to $567 million would lead to significant tution increases. Penn State University says 8% of its funding comes from the state, and this will lead to tution increases.

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This review in the NYT says the LG G3 smartphone is a good challenger to the Galaxy S5 from Samsung with specifications and top of the line processor that matches the Samsung rival. It has a 5.5 inch screen, 13 megapixel camera, and a quality display to match Apple's retina display.

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Markit's monthly purchasing managers index showed an increase in October 2013 to 51.6 from 51.3 in the prior month. Readings above 50 show an increase in manufacturing orders. German and Italian manufacturing activity shows increasing strength. The Markit survey is based on polling for 3000 manufacturing companies in the eurozone countries.

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Experts point out that Saudi oil price policies are set on a technocratic basis by a small group of advisors. An oil industry veteran Naimi, 79, leads this group of advisors. This means the new King Salman is likely to follow the same course as his predecessor King Abdullah. Gulf oil officials were expecting a drop to around $50 to $60 a barrel, the drop below $50 has surprised even the Saudis. NYT cites IMF estimates of a loss of oil revenues for Saudi Arabia and its allies in the Persian Gulf of about $300 billion in 2015. The Economist and WSJ reports say that for the long term shale oil production and advance in technologies are likely to play a lasting role in keeping oil prices low. At a time when Saudi society is changing, population growing, an older generation likely to transition to a younger generation in government, the cost of the social safety net and ample benefits will remain a concern for the Saudis for the long term.

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The affluent class and its handbags from Europe vs the US Navy not able to build the ships America needs with 50% outshoring of ship manufacturing to China, and the loss of 5 million jobs, removal of America's industrial base though outshoring. A level of self centeredness unparalleled in American history- for mere handbags, mere handbags and toys. The media not knowing any better in 2025, economists steeped in economic theory peddling the same theories that are not grounded in reality.

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WSJ looks at the housing costs surge in Dublin, Ireland.

A Dublin high school teacher says most of his paycheck would go to renting an apartment. About 59% of Irish people 20-34 years live with their parens up from 38% in 2014. It is worse than in the 2009 financial crisis. Cullen this highschool teacher is 27 years old and says the price is "mental" as living in one's own apartment is hard, and owning is impossible.

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This article in Zeit Online tries to provide the facts behind Merkel's decision made in a period of 24-48 hours to let refugees marching towards Austria from Keleti station in Budapest, Hungary, September 5, 2015, to enter Germany. Other reports pointed out that too little time was given to make the decision and that it was purely done on humanitarian terms. And made during that short window of time, in which a decision had to be made to turn away the refugees going on foot for hundreds of miles or to turn them away. Given Germany's earlier history the choice was a difficult one but erred on the side of being humanitarian. Though Merkel's selfie with a refugee at a hostel on Sept 10, would seem to suggest otherwise, Merkel has said her decision was made with so little time and little opportunity to understand all the ramifications of this. It was not an open invitation to refugees to come to Germany.