Auto-brewery syndrome: Your body makes alcohol: https://www.today.com/health/disease/man-shares-auto-brewery-syndrome-symptoms-rcna77263 . Basically, if your gut bacteria begin turning what you eat into alcohol, you have auto-brewery syndrome. As the article details, this is a rare but very serious condition. The condition can lead to liver disease.
Congenital syphilis cases explode in Canada: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-03-31/syphilis-cases-in-babies-skyrocket-in-canada-amid-healthcare-failures . This is utterly appalling in the 21st century. The neglect of the health of minority populations will lead to lifelong health problems for many of these babies.
WSJ: Americans lose faith in college education: https://www.wsj.com/articles/americans-are-losing-faith-in-college-education-wsj-norc-poll-finds-3a836ce1 . Apparently, a significant percentage of people who’ve attended college don’t understand the value of the education they received. Colleges need to start there to address this sad news.
WSJ: Medicare Advantage set for a haircut: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-administration-to-move-forward-with-changes-to-medicare-payments-e3d738a7 .
Social Security’s trust fund troubles: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/social-security-reserves-projected-to-run-out-earlier-than-previously-forecast-60932de5 . Medicare’s dire financial situation improved, with its bankruptcy moved out from 2028 to 2031.
WSJ: Fed governor sees inflation at 2% in about 3 years: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-feds-john-williams-says-it-will-take-time-to-reach-2-inflation-26b656de . While that is historically quite optimistic, even in that scenario the Fed will not start cutting rates in 2023 or 2024.
WSJ: American retirement: https://www.wsj.com/articles/retirement-charts-social-security-savings-health-efa1962b . Apparently American retirees average 10.75 hours every day watching television and relaxing. There’s no way I am or will ever be this type of retiree. Also, this must be why DeMentis describes Florida as “God’s waiting room”.
DOJ sues Norfolk Southern over Ohio derailment: https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-lawsuit-norfolk-southern-b5162c3a5d3eec681eaadfa4266ef5a6 . NS is clearly liable under federal law for clean-up costs. The new wrinkle here involves fines under the Clean Water Act.
WSJ: News organizations demand Russia release Evan Gershkovich: https://www.wsj.com/articles/leaders-of-top-global-news-organizations-call-for-release-of-wall-street-journal-reporter-evan-gershkovich-c0bb5482 . So does President Biden: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-russia-rift-complicates-case-of-arrested-journal-reporter-585946be . More on Gershkovich: https://www.wsj.com/articles/wsj-reporter-evan-gershkovich-detained-russia-cd03b0f3 . However, media organizations are guarded in their operations in Russia: https://www.wsj.com/articles/reporting-on-russia-became-more-treacherous-after-ukraine-invasion-19dc5128 .
WSJ: Eurozone record core inflation: https://www.wsj.com/articles/eurozone-core-inflation-hits-record-high-6f2032b9 . Global recession. Get used to it.
Russia’s problem economy: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/putins-getting-nervous-about-russias-sinking-economy-201143630.html . Although few sources are cited, journalists apparently agree with the speculation that WSJ reporter Gershkovich was arrested for reporting on the sinking Russian economy. They will support him by writing more articles about the Russian economy. Russia’s economy has likely turned to war production at the expense of the domestic economy. The 300,000 men conscripted for military service, and an equal or greater number that fled the country, no longer participate in the economy.
WSJ: Ukrainian defiant bravery: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-a-ukrainian-soldiers-final-act-of-defiance-made-him-a-hero-e22f5288 . No one on the Russian side has anything like this sort of steel. The Ukrainians must win. Meanwhile, they continue their defense of Bakhmut: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-points-to-success-in-defending-bakhmut-14f868d2 .
WSJ: E&Y fiddles as opportunity slips away: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ey-fails-to-reach-deal-on-split-f9e220d1 . Would you hire these guys to finalize a business deal? Me neither.
The Orange Julius New York indictment: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-arrested-news-updates-indictment-counts-new-york-rcna77595 . This article speculates about the contents of the indictment. All of these questions will be resolved when the indictment is unsealed. Almost undoubtedly there will be a trial. The defense focus will try to get the case thrown out. However, since Michael Cohen has already done prison time on this exact transaction, it is unlikely the judge will throw this case out. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-history-of-the-trump-hush-money-saga-fe5cac3c . This does suggest a possible line of attack by the defense: statute of limitations arguments.
A summary of the cases against OJ: https://apnews.com/article/what-else-is-trump-being-investigated-for-bbc926171b5bdf91eabd76db93411b8b . There are at least 6 prominent legal actions against OJ. The civil suit of sexual assault from plaintiff E. Jean Carroll moves toward trial. The Manhattan DA has indicted OJ over the Stormy Daniels hush money. DOJ has special prosecutor Jack Smith pursuing the possession of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. Smith is also examining OJ’s role in inciting the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol.
In Georgia, Fulton County’s DA has received recommendation for indictments over OJ’s attempt to interfere with the 2020 election in that state. And the New York AG is pursuing fraud charges against OJ and the OJ Organization over fraud involving improper real estate valuation. This is a witch hunt only if you understand that OJ is a witch.
Lindsey Graham, OJ fundraiser: https://www.aol.com/news/lindsey-graham-tried-fundraise-trump-041133089.html . The bigger picture here is that the GOP has watched for years as televangelists have ripped off their followers with the so-called Prosperity Gospel (Send me money and God will reward you). GOP politicians decided not to challenge this disgusting behavior, but instead modeled their own behavior after it.
Meanwhile, judge hammers Fox Not-the-News in ruling Dominion case will go to trial: https://abcnews.go.com/US/dominion-case-fox-news-trial-judge-rules/story?id=98276968 . As noted here previously, Dominion’s evidence is “dagger in the heart” of Fox’s defenses. However, the article avoids stating what I think is the likely reason for the judge’s ruling. There is a massive opportunity here for punitive damages. My guess is that the judge wants the jury to hear all of the evidence in order to create the most solid legal basis for huge punitives. Let’s watch closely how this trial plays out. It’s currently scheduled to begin in mid-April. Meanwhile, Murdoch-owned WSJ heavily understates the judge’s ruling.
UPDATE: First Amendment expert’s commentary gives support to my Dominion theory: https://lawandcrime.com/2020-election/dominion-wins-rare-judgment-against-fox-news-on-every-legal-issue-but-actual-malice-before-blockbuster-trial/ . Remember, all Dominion has to do is prove “reckless disregard” to win this case. In my view, if they prove “actual malice” (which as noted yesterday I believe they have), higher punitive are justified. Presumably the Fox Not-the-News attorneys realize what dire trouble their client is in.
Tomatoes scream when stressed: https://thehill.com/policy/equilibrium-sustainability/3926628-new-study-finds-plants-scream-when-stressed-or-injured-raising-questions-about-communication/ . Conclusion: Keep your tomatoes away from the evening political news …
QAnon Shaman transferred to halfway house: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-released-early-federal-prison-halfway-house-jan-6/ . Obviously he has served less than half of the 41 months he was sentenced to in November 2021. He has remained a publicity seeker, which indicates he is not really rehabilitated.
Tornado devastates Little Rock as monster storm kills at least 4 and injures dozens: https://apnews.com/article/us-storms-tornadoes-midwest-south-4d35ce15af18e6cd50fda3aeb7a57176 . The power of the spring tornadoes this year suggests that Tornado Alley is permanently moving to the east and south. This dangerous development may rewrite the nature of US emergency management.
Using photosynthesis to “supercharge” biofuel production: https://www.cnet.com/science/scientists-found-a-leak-in-photosynthesis-that-could-fill-humanitys-energy-bucket/ .
March Madness: “The Game” everyone wanted to see this year was the women’s semifinal, No. 2 Iowa with regular season MVP Caitlyn Clark against No. 1 and undefeated South Carolina with last year’s regular season MVP Aliyah Boston . And the game exceeded all expectations: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaw/tourney/2023/03/31/womens-ncaa-tournament-updates-march-madness-final-four/11571659002/ . Read this article from the bottom up, a quarter-by-quarter recount, to recreate the excitement. SPOILER ALERT: Go ahead and read the article before I recap the game in the next paragraph!
OK, here’s the scoop: Caitlyn Clark went off, scoring 41 points, the most scored in a Final Four game in history, men’s or women’s. She also hit 3 pointers, dribbled past South Carolina and made great assists as Iowa stunned South Carolina 77-73. And if you didn’t read the article, I still recommend you do. It’s an excellent recap of a game that likely just changed the face of women’s college basketball and sent Caitlyn Clark into a higher orbit.