Mad cow blood donation limits removed: https://apnews.com/article/science-health-europe-covid-blood-donation-3abefe11af6bb200dad52183ecb30ca5 . The ban had been in place for over 20 years, so the risk appears nonexistent.
China announces new COVID death: https://apnews.com/article/health-business-china-beijing-covid-1cf94c199eb97d057c92002b2e6175a0 . The death is the first in China in 6 months. However, see the next paragraph.
China’s COVID cases continue to rise: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-11-19/china-reports-24-473-new-covid-cases-some-beijing-businesses-shut . More, including two more deaths: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-11-20/several-beijing-districts-shut-schools-as-china-covid-cases-rise .
Hong Kong leader tests positive for COVID: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-11-20/hong-kong-leader-lee-tests-positive-for-covid-19-after-apec .
WSJ: Zero COVID continues to undermine Chinese economy: https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-consumer-spending-slumps-under-covid-and-property-restrictions-11668953528 . Stupid, stupid, stupid …
WSJ: Ukraine war dynamics shift to the east: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraines-kherson-win-shifts-dynamics-across-whole-front-with-russia-11668914888 . Not to doubt the Journal (!), but Ukraine likely will press its advantage in the south by retaking Kherson. If they can crack the new Russian reinforcements on the east bank of the Dnipro, Ukraine might be able to advance toward the Black Sea and Crimea. Also, the new territory provides increased artillery reach into the south. Therefore, the Ukrainians will likely continue to hit Russian supply lines. Meanwhile, Russia continues strikes on energy grid: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-urges-evacuations-as-pressure-on-electricity-grid-intensifies-11668941038 .
More Twitter layoffs on the table: https://www.engadget.com/elon-musk-reportedly-considers-more-twitter-layoffs-193504274.html . The slow-motion suicide of Twitter continues, as cracks in content moderation appear. We are watching “death by a thousand cuts”.
WSJ: The bizarre behavior behind FTX: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-caroline-ellison-found-herself-at-the-center-of-the-ftx-crypto-collapse-11668899604 . Generally speaking, when your CEO tweets about the glories of regular amphetamine use, you have a major problem.
President Biden turns 80: https://www.aol.com/news/as-biden-turns-80-americans-ask-whats-too-old-132931141.html . But one thing is certain: If Biden’s health holds, and his opponent is Orange Julius, Biden will be re-elected. This match-up currently seems improbable, as OJ will likely be indicted and convicted during 2023 in the documents case (the easier one), and probably indicted over January 6. However, should Biden run, his vice presidential choice should be someone equipped to assume the presidency. Currently, that does not feel like Kamala Harris. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-biden-turns-80-some-democrats-see-age-as-issue-for-potential-2024-bid-11668917528 .
Paul Ryan self-declares as a “Never-again-OJer”: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/speaker-paul-ryan-calls-trumper/story?id=93616478 . Ryan alone would peel off few MAGA Republicans, but a growing chorus rises against OJ as a three-time loser (only 3?). With the election two years away, this chorus will grind OJ away.
Kevin McCarthy’s leadership plan: No governance, no leadership, all grievance: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/11/20/biden-trump-2024-after-midterms-poll/10736709002/ . Kevin self-tattoos a red “L” on his forehead.
World Cup 2022 off to an uneven start in Qatar: https://apnews.com/article/womens-soccer-world-cup-sports-fifa-49ceec1190b4f6c9c656b0402cae8335 . The reversal on public beer consumption continues to generate tension. However, as the country has never hosted an event anywhere near this size, problems were not unexpected. More: https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-soccer-sports-qatar-middle-east-4da4e52ca6ad0ba8f0970f79fc622742 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/qatar-ecuador-world-cup-11668967889 .
US plays its opening World Cup match Monday against Wales, 1 pm Eastern. WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/usa-wales-preview-world-cup-gareth-bale-11668958533 .
Fingers crossed … the work completed by advanced tech support passes my initial tests, so this newsletter hopefully has reappeared in your mailbox …