Another FDA booster approval nears: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-04-04/report-fda-to-authorize-another-updated-covid-19-booster-shot-for-some . The science absolutely supports additional boosters for the most vulnerable at 4 to 6 months out from their last booster.
Pfizer, Merck cut COVID drug prices in China by about 5%: https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2023-04-04/pfizer-merck-trim-prices-in-china-for-paxlovid-molnupiravir-reports .
Inmate help at COVID emergency end: https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2023-04-04/us-rule-to-allow-some-inmates-to-stay-home-after-covid-emergency-lifts . So inmates who have been serving their prison time at home can stay there after the federal COVID emergency declaration ends on May 11.
WSJ: Conflicting studies on “longevity” drug: https://www.wsj.com/articles/longevity-metformin-anti-aging-biohacking-diabetes-16443b03 .
WSJ: The medical research potential of bats: https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-bats-clues-to-fighting-human-diseases-339a4650 .
Liberal justice wins Wisconsin Supreme Court seat: https://www.politico.com/news/2023/04/04/wisconsins-supreme-court-race-00090253 . As the article notes, this race involved the unheard-of campaign spend of $45 million. Also, abortion rights were a hot topic in the race. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/wisconsin-voters-to-decide-on-state-supreme-court-swing-seat-tuesday-d2445959 .
Finland joins NATO: https://apnews.com/article/nato-finland-russia-ukraine-membership-enlargement-c703d23a8423d89577d5b752d69d76eb . So Putin’s fear of NATO and his invasion of Ukraine has now added over 800 miles to Russia’s border with NATO. Let’s go, Vlad! WSJ: NATO to discuss “consolation prizes” for Ukraine: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraines-nato-future-sparks-debate-as-finland-joins-alliance-a4972153 . As we know, NATO’s rules prohibit Ukraine joining while at war. The individual member countries have been providing substantial aid outside the NATO umbrella. So we will wait to see what can come out of this discussion.
WSJ: Russian drones hit Odessa: https://www.wsj.com/articles/russian-drones-hit-odessa-as-ukraine-makes-fresh-diplomatic-push-576b6149 .
Elite Putin security officer defects to the West: https://apnews.com/article/russia-putin-defector-war-crimes-khodorkovsky-karakulov-dossier-845421fe06ed9cfa1962ad4f98a2e413 . The officer says Putin is a war criminal (how true!).
WSJ: Ukraine farms get financial help from abroad: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-farms-attract-money-and-help-from-allies-top-food-companies-61c65dd2 .
A reminder to manage your phone time: IS leader killed by drone missile while on his cellphone: https://apnews.com/article/syria-islamic-state-drone-strike-3dba943ef8eeeeb9081f2a40630a8d4a . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-says-it-launched-a-strike-that-killed-senior-islamic-state-leader-in-syria-5bbd5a40 .
Happy Arraignment Day to Orange Julius! And may you have many, many more! But we are saving the celebration for your Conviction Day(s) … Here’s a brief summary of today’s courtroom appearances, with links to other articles on specific topics: https://news.yahoo.com/trump-arraignment-manhattan-court-ny-surrender-arrest-mug-shot-live-updates-110057599.html . Note that the judge did not impose a gag order, but directed the lawyers to instruct their clients that certain areas are off-limits for public comment – including anything which could incite violence. Naturally, however, OJ has already disregarded that instruction: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-risks-keeps-talking-judge-ny-criminal-case-rcna77930 . Good luck to Judge Merchan, who has the reputation for being no-nonsense. We will see.
Lawyers discuss OJ’s indictment: https://abcnews.go.com/US/legal-experts-donald-trumps-indictment/story?id=98362591 .
WSJ: Virgin Orbit files for bankruptcy: https://www.wsj.com/articles/richard-bransons-satellite-company-virgin-orbit-files-for-bankruptcy-e1a67347 . This is hardly a surprise, given recent news.
Raquel Welch died of cardiac arrest and Alzheimer’s: https://people.com/movies/raquel-welch-cause-of-death-cardiac-arrest-alzheimers-disease/ .