Federal contractor vaccine mandate voided: https://news.yahoo.com/appeals-court-says-u-cannot-180529647.html .
The tripledemic continues: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/cold-and-flu/covid-flu-rsv-science-shows-contagious-rcna62140 .
China COVID surge global concern: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-12-19/u-s-state-dept-says-toll-of-covid-in-china-a-concern-for-the-world . More: https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2022-12-18/chinese-business-confidence-at-lowest-in-almost-a-decade-survey .
US makes $4 billion profit on petroleum reserve release: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-scores-4-billion-windfall-on-oil-reserve-sales-11671420244 .
WSJ: Is the Treasury rally going to last?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/treasury-rally-to-be-tested-by-feds-next-move-11671409396 . No. The Fed has dramatically raised rates and will continue to do so. The market seems to be betting that the Fed will dramatically lower rates next year. The Fed has explicitly said it will not do that until there is meaningful progress against inflation. We’re at 7%+ inflation, with a Fed target of 2%. Inflation takes an average of 5 years to be squeezed out of an economy. The rally cannot last. Long bonds (10 or 30 year Treasuries) will drop significantly in value.
UN biodiversity deal: https://apnews.com/article/china-united-nations-biodiversity-climate-and-environment-eee5683a8fac71540f94e9934031bd22 . The foregone conclusions here: It is too little, too late, and most of it won’t be implemented.
WSJ: Binance buys assets of bankrupt crypto firm Voyager: https://www.wsj.com/articles/binance-us-to-buy-assets-of-bankrupt-crypto-lender-voyager-eyes-more-acquisitions-11671478348 .
Chief Justice Roberts places temporary hold on end to Title 42: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/gop-states-supreme-court-title-42-trump-era-immigration-rcna62460 . The sides must file briefs by tomorrow afternoon. The absurdity of our government’s conduct of immigration policy can hardly be questioned. We witness man’s inhumanity to man. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-administration-races-to-change-asylum-rules-as-title-42-expiration-looms-11671460300 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-is-title-42-border-rules-migration-11649118539 .
January 6 committee refers 4 criminal charges against Orange Julius to DOJ: https://news.yahoo.com/house-jan-6-committee-recommends-criminal-charges-against-trump-191729327.html . Innocent until proven guilty? We have seen his guilt with our own eyes. UPDATE: Mitch McConnell agrees: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/3781299-mcconnell-on-jan-6-criminal-referral-of-trump-entire-nation-knows-who-is-responsible-for-that-day/ . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/jan-6-committee-hearings-what-happened-so-far-and-whats-next-11655820182 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-four-criminal-charges-in-jan-6-committees-trump-referral-11671484112 . Also: https://www.wsj.com/articles/jan-6-panel-to-vote-on-criminal-referrals-release-summary-of-report-11671429912 .
January 6 committee refers Kevin McCarthy and GOP Congressmen Jim Jordan, Scott Perry and Andy Biggs to House Ethics Committee for failure to comply with their subpoena: https://news.yahoo.com/january-6-refers-mccarthy-gop-house-ethics-violation-202201028.html . As the GOP will take control of the House next month, the chances of bringing the 4 little piglets to justice are currently nil. You will recall that Andy Biggs ran against Kevin McCarthy for nomination to the Speakership. Apparently, the GOP thinks you can’t be Speaker of the House unless you ignore the ethics rules. However, it is our system that these disgusting anti-patriots can continue in government service.
Once again, MAGA-maniacs demonstrate their detachment from reality: https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/22/12/30122435/donald-trumps-nft-collection-crashes-over-50-after-12-hour-selloff-frenzy . Why anyone wants a digital Orange Julius trading card at any price, let alone $99, is beyond me. Will they be issuing ones with him in an orange jumpsuit?
Twitter users to Musk: Go away!: https://www.aol.com/finance/musk-poll-shows-57-5-114520208.html . Musk has said he will abide by the results of the poll. Okay, now is good: https://www.thedailybeast.com/elon-musk-goes-oddly-silent-after-twitter-users-vote-for-his-resignation . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musks-twitter-poll-shows-users-want-him-to-step-down-11671449123 .
Earth to Kari Lake: GO AWAY!: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3780237-kari-lake-calls-for-imprisoning-maricopa-county-election-officials/ .
WSJ: LA jury convicts Harvey Weinstein of 3 sex crimes: https://www.wsj.com/articles/harvey-weinstein-convicted-of-three-sex-crimes-in-california-11671494445 . Along with his prior New York convictions, Weinstein is looking at decades in jail.
Cecily Strong leaves Saturday Night Live after 11 seasons: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cecily-strong-exit-saturday-night-live-11-seasons/ . Well, we can still see her on … Verizon commercials. Who’s left on SNL? Kenan Thompson, Michael Che, and … ?
WSJ: Messi, Messi, Messi: https://www.wsj.com/articles/messi-ronaldo-goat-world-cup-argentina-portugal-11671463230 . It is a pleasure to open this paragraph with a phrase that sounds like the latest Orange Julius screw-up, but is about something positive. Also, Messi has surprised the soccer world by announcing he will not retire.
Mbappe, Mbappe, Mbappe: Before leaving the 2022 World Cup, let’s not forget that Kylian Mbappe was spectacular. Mbappe is 23 (Messi is 35), but won both the Golden Boot (for most tournament goals: 8) and the Silver Ball (second-best player, after Messi). And Mbappe scored 3 goals (a hat trick) in the final, only the second player ever to do that. He now returns to his team, Paris St Germain, to play with his fellow striker, Lionel Messi. Shouldn’t they be winning … everything?
CNN’s Drew Griffin passes at 60: https://www.etonline.com/drew-griffin-cnn-investigative-journalist-dead-at-60-196211 .