XBB.1.5 cases plateau in US: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-03-17/cdc-data-shows-omicron-subvariant-xbb-1-5-starting-to-plateau-at-90-of-new-covid-19-cases . Better news would be a decline in XBB.1.5 cases without the emergence of a more contagious variant.
Evidence COVID came from animals: https://apnews.com/article/covid-virus-origins-coronavirus-lab-leak-wildlife-wuhan-raccoon-dog-4dafbb46a575e14eff9fedf2e705aee2 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/who-presses-china-to-release-raccoon-dog-data-in-search-for-covids-origins-ca165753 . Are you, like me, irritated to the point of disgust with both China and WHO? As we know, coronavirus in humans is very genetically similar to coronavirus in bats. Clinching evidence would be finding a genetic intermediary between the two in raccoon dogs. This evidence is much less than that.
The evidence here is that the sample contained both coronavirus and raccoon dog feces. But what does that mean? Horrible sanitary practices at the market? Terrible sample collection procedures? We need more information than what is disclosed here to draw a strong conclusion. The fact that the Chinese just came forward with this evidence on samples collected more than 3 years ago is reprehensible.
Wyoming governor signs law banning abortion pills: https://apnews.com/article/wyoming-medication-abortion-ban-gordon-8120493afa25f7a2d4233192dc612cb3 .
WSJ: Credit ratings did not reflect true status of SVB and other failed banks: https://www.wsj.com/articles/silicon-valley-banks-distress-wasnt-reflected-in-credit-ratings-93cd9dff . This will likely increase the scrutiny on KPMG. That is, it should increase scrutiny of KPMG. More: SVB’s parent files for bankruptcy: https://www.wsj.com/articles/silicon-valley-banks-failure-tips-parent-company-into-chapter-11-3553fd32 .
WSJ: SVB collapse may accelerate acquisition of tech start-ups: https://www.wsj.com/articles/svb-collapse-could-trigger-more-corporate-m-a-tech-leaders-say-baff7734 . I have noticed that the stock price of many tech start-ups has plummeted in recent days. This makes these acquisitions increasingly attractive.
Sharon Stone says she “lost half her money” in the banking turmoil: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/sharon-stone-says-she-lost-half-of-her-money-due-to-bank-fallout-173124708.html . While dramatic, this makes no sense. Depositors in both failed banks have been made whole. The only way this could be true would be if she had half her fortune in the banks’ stock, which would be insane investment advice.
WSJ: China’s Evergrande nears financial restructuring deal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-developer-evergrande-nears-landmark-restructuring-deal-9c93286e .
WSJ: Turkey approves NATO membership for Finland: https://www.wsj.com/articles/turkeys-president-approves-finlands-nato-membership-bid-8667b866 . For now, Sweden must wait. Also, Hungary must approve Finland for their NATO membership to advance.
Slovakia to send 13 MiG’s to Ukraine: https://www.wsj.com/articles/slovakia-to-send-13-mig-jet-fighters-to-ukraine-ahead-of-counteroffensive-b69ba9b7 . This move was widely expected, as previously reported here.
International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin: https://apnews.com/article/icc-putin-war-crimes-ukraine-9857eb68d827340394960eccf0589253 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-n-court-issues-arrest-warrant-for-russias-putin-and-another-kremlin-official-d3b9cb8e . As Russia does not recognize the ICC or extradite its citizens, as the article notes this is unlikely to come to anything. However, other reporting tells us the Ukrainians are advocating that the ICC recognize aggression (like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine) as a crime. This crime would apply to the highest levels of the government of the aggressor. So this indictment could encourage development of this crime.
One may ask if this crime applies to US military actions, such as the invasions of Iraq or Afghanistan. These actions also involved US allies, but Russia could argue that Belarus was involved in its actions against Ukraine. As the article notes, the US and China also don’t recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction, but other US allies do.
Special prosecutor wants to question Orange Julius attorney over discussion between OJ and attorney over classified documents handling: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/special-counsel-trump-classified-documents-probe-attorney-evan-corcoran/ . The crime-fraud exception means attorney-client privilege does not apply to discussions which involve furthering the commission of a crime. WSJ: We believe the judge has granted the request: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-lawyer-ordered-to-give-more-grand-jury-testimony-in-mar-a-lago-inquiry-62074d5c .
Radioactive water leak at Minnesota nuclear plant: https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-xcel-energy-nuclear-radioactive-tritium-leak-c7a12ecb1b203179c5f7fef42bd0a3aa . Why is public notification not required?
Dramatic improvement in California reservoir levels: https://www.aol.com/news/drone-photos-show-dramatic-rise-000003950.html . Great pics …
March Madness: No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson beats No. 1 Purdue: https://sports.yahoo.com/march-madness-no-16-fairleigh-dickinson-shocks-no-1-purdue-010848173.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/fairleigh-dickinson-purdue-ncaa-tournament-upset-8a5d0a38 . This is only the second time in NCAA history that a bottom seed has beaten a top seed. Yesterday, No. 15 Princeton beat No. 2 Arizona: https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-ncaa-arizona-princeton-4b28e0acabe2b75ccdbac81d40a6fd66 .