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The FBI and the IRS were working on the same investigation of FIFA from different directions and began working together since Dec. 2011, as they found that the same people were involved. Richard Weber of the IRS, says another round of indictments can be expected. The IRS case starts with investigation into tax fraud and one discovery leads to another in the case. By 2013 Chuck Blazer had pleaded guilty to tax and corruption charges and agreed to cooperate with the IRS and the FBI, leading to the breakthroughs that followed. Enhanced cooperation between the Justice Department and international banks since the indictments against banks for illicit operations has made banks willing to cooperate with investigations fully. Once the case was built up getting FIFA officials at one place for the meeting in Zurich made it easier to make the arrests.

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The lack of ample natural gas supplies has hurt Mexico's manufacturing sector. Pemex has focussed on crude oil production and Mexico imports natural gas from Texas. BBVA Bancomer estimates a loss of 3.6% of manufacturing output in the last year from the lack of natural gas produced in Mexico from its large gas reserves.

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One reason Republicans and Democrats are looking at taxes paid by business is that some corporations are paying very low taxes. This report in the WP cites GE's annual filing showing GE (General Electric) paid a low of 4.2% in taxes in 2013. By plugging tax loopholes U.S. president Obama's budget proposal for 2015 would raise $276 billion in higher taxes from these large corporations for overseas earnings over the next decade.

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Comment by Samsung executives that show Samsung was late in the game in adopting Android for smartphones. A decision was made to leapfrog ahead of competitors in 2011 by building on Samsung's strengths in executing.

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How to best integrate iPad reading to children with reading paper books to children and libraries is an effort that is still being developed.

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Sony is trailing badly in the smartphone business in 2014-2015. Global market share is at about 3.1%. Sales in China have failed to gain with only 0.4% market share, as Xiaomi has made large gains in China in 2014, and with other low cost competitors such as Lenovo. Even in India once considered a promising market Sony smartphone sales market share is at about 3.2%. Market share is about 6.9% in Europe and 14.4% in Japan, according to Counterpoint Research. The mobile division is cutting staff by 2100 from current level of 7000, as mobile becomes Sony's only money losing unit. The head of the mobile division and CEO Hirai are now considering options including selling the unit or joining with third parties. Mr. Totoki, head of the mobile division, says Sony has learned through this experience that creating customer enthusiasm for products involves much more than simply putting together powerful parts.

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A failed policy of the Obama administration in Syria leads to a situation in which chemical weapons are used by the Assad government without a response from the U.S. or its allies in Europe.

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This report in the Economist points to the improved situation for Mexico after the scare from Trump's plans to build the wall and deport large numbers of immigrants. The peso dropped by 15% between mid November 2016 and January 2017, but has since recovered, and non-oil exports were up 5.5% in February 2017 over prior year with the manufacturing growth in the U.S.  Growth forecasts are now up from about 1% GDP growth previously to 2% for 2017, close to the 2.3% in 2016. Much of the change in mood in Mexico is a result of the failure of the early travel bans being blocked in the courts, the failure to get health care legislation through Congress, and the effort by the trade advisers and economic advisers around Trump to move Trump's positions more to the centre and closer to traditional Republican party positions. Wilbur Ross, the Commerce Secretary, says " a sensible agreement" can be reached with Mexico. Peter Navarro, trade adviser, talks about making "a mutually beneficial regional powerhouse." Robert Lighthizer, a veteran from the Reagan days, is likely to be made the new U.S. Trade representative. Still as the Economist points out the "20% border adjustment tax" continues to be supported by Paul Ryan in Congress to pay for tax cuts. But certainly the mood has lifted in Mexico in the first 100 days. This is true for economic policy in relation to China and Germany, and the close circle of Ross, National Economic Council head Gary Cohn, and Secretary of State Tillerson is moving Trump to the centre in policy statements to get things done. Mexico is faced with internal challenges of reestablishing the rule of law, improving infrastructure, reducing red tape and corruption, addressing problems in the education system, to promote economic growth. These challenges may prove to be as large as the external challenges were once thought to be. ...