US COVID surge from Omicron: https://apnews.com/article/science-health-travel-covid-ce0a33a3eb7185184310d2b7b5df19e2 . More accurately, new subvariants of Omicron continue to emerge. These subvariants are increasingly able to evade antibodies developed from prior infections or vaccinations. Also, as we have long said, this is an arms race between the vaccines and the variants.
WSJ: Bahamas tries to sort the FTX bankruptcy: https://www.wsj.com/articles/crypto-firm-ftx-landed-in-the-bahamas-with-a-bang-and-now-the-bahamas-is-picking-up-the-pieces-11669326455 . Some large part of the world seems to believe that if you throw around money, you know what you’re talking about. Some people never learn. Background: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ftx-and-sam-bankman-fried-your-guide-to-the-crypto-crash-11669375609 .
Three nuts on the patio: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/f-ing-nightmare-trump-team-damage-control-dines-ye-white-supremacist-n-rcna58780 . Once again, things just get increasingly bizarre in MAGA-World.
Kari Lake moves to her own universe: https://www.aol.com/kari-lake-files-lawsuit-against-145726881.html . You know, the universe where she’s sane.
WSJ: The psychology of .99 pricing: https://www.wsj.com/articles/if-the-price-ended-in-99-you-probably-overpaid-11669293972 . This article identifies an interesting paradox. Because people think .99 signifies a good deal (an idea with no basis), retailers call this a “charm price”. This ending is therefore typically used when prices are raised, so the increase is less noticed. When prices are cut, they often do not end up at a .99 ending. The end result: You are often overpaying (at least relative to the prior price) when you pay a price ending in .99.
The black-naped pigeon-pheasant seen again after 140 years: https://www.aol.com/bird-hadnt-seen-researchers-over-224038024.html . It’s not the bandersnatch, but still pretty good.
WSJ: World Cup 2022: US v. England: 0-0: https://www.wsj.com/articles/usa-england-world-cup-score-draw-11669410073 . First, the good news: the US tied England, above my expectations. But now, the bad news: The US has scored exactly 1 goal total in 2 full games. The US needs to beat Iran on Tuesday to advance. They should win, but then, the US should have beaten Wales. Iran already has, 2 to 0.