Mifepristone ban partially blocked by Fifth Circuit: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/appeals-court-partially-blocks-ruling-imperils-access-key-abortion-pil-rcna79144 . The block is partial, but significant. The Fifth Circuit considered 3 parts of the ruling, and unanimously put on hold the portion relating to the initial approval in 2000 of Mifepristone for use in abortions in the first 49 days of gestation. WSJ: Old news: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-administration-asks-appeals-court-to-halt-abortion-pill-ruling-940d8c4c .
However, by a 2 to 1 majority, the panel allowed to stand the ban on the 2016 expansion to cover 70 days of gestation, and the 2021 finding allowing distribution by mail: https://www.ropesgray.com/en/newsroom/alerts/2023/04/ahm-v-fda-and-washington-v-fda-dueling-federal-court-decisions-raise-uncertainty-related-to-fda . The two judges in the majority are male Orange Julius appointees, while the dissenter is a female appointee of George W. Bush.
The bottom line here is that for now Mifepristone remains available for gestations up to 49 days for states that permit abortions.
China out of UN wildlife survey to develop pandemic protection: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-04-13/exclusive-china-out-of-uns-wildlife-survey-for-pandemic-controls-source . In many ways, China is pulling back from the world community. WSJ: China suppresses COVID data: https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-seeks-to-write-its-own-history-of-battle-with-covid-19-1f6f8939 .
The pervasive tragedy of guns in the US: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/gun-violence-common-experience-us-adults-survey-rcna79130 . According to this survey, 21% of American adults say they have been threatened with a gun. Also, 19% say they have a family member who has been killed by a (person with a) gun. The current situation is appalling, insane and completely unacceptable. The core problem is the widespread availability of guns, which by the way is not required by the Second Amendment. Even Justice Scalia said reasonable regulation was appropriate.
WSJ: E&Y gives up on splitting the firm after US opposition: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ey-breakup-plan-doomed-by-miscalculations-and-powerful-opponents-61b7e02d . As noted here for some time, this has had all the earmarks of a deal that would fail.
Public debt surges in large economies: https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2023-04-12/imf-says-public-debt-is-growing-faster-than-pre-covid-projections . When debt surges at the same time interest rates are rising, it becomes increasingly difficult to return to a balanced budget. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-china-to-lead-growth-in-government-debts-85090b4 .
WSJ: Here are a whole lot of details that don’t add up to squat: https://www.wsj.com/articles/crosscurrents-hide-a-rapidly-cooling-labor-market-41342d41 . Ip’s last line: “The bottom line is that while labor demand may be weakening, it will likely have to weaken further, perhaps into recessionary territory, for the Fed to consider easing.” So Greg, what was the point of your analysis? So we all know that already, and the Fed has been saying that for almost a year … WSJ” More (really?): https://www.wsj.com/articles/inflation-report-keeps-a-may-interest-rate-increase-in-play-fd105729 . Again, we know this.
WSJ: Is crypto safe?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/bitcoin-blockchain-hacking-arrests-93a4cb29 . If this does not convince you that crypto has inadequate controls, then read the article again … The guy double-clicked and was able to double his withdrawal? What a mess …
Zelensky condemns beheadings by Russians: https://news.yahoo.com/zelensky-condemns-video-allegedly-showing-ukrainian-soldiers-beheading-130709677.html . Yes, videos can be faked. However, for now I believe this one. The entire conduct of this invasion by Russia has been one large war crime, from Bucha to the targeting of civilians. The list of crimes is so long it is numbing. While Red Julius’ war crimes are terrorism, Orange Julius’ crimes against democracy are insidious and ultimately more dangerous to democratic freedoms throughout the world. We do need a legal system that can remove such appalling people from governance. Do we have one? WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-to-investigate-video-purporting-to-show-russian-forces-beheading-soldier-d3899a09 .
Bakhmut “meat grinder” continues to chew up personnel: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/wagner-group-can-only-afford-to-throw-soldiers-into-bakhmut-s-meat-grinder-for-another-2-months-before-it-runs-out-of-men-ukrainian-commander-says/ar-AA19Lm18?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=110bf0c2427543aaa2843b70b502a7e6&ei=41 .
US intelligence document leaker identified by online friends: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/leaker-of-u-s-secret-documents-worked-on-military-base-friend-says/ar-AA19NaOM?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=adeb5ab818d34792990e3c6d6d4e460a&ei=18 . Guns, God, and completely irresponsible. The leaker is in his early to mid 20’s, and to say the least, does not have a completely developed frontal cortex.
Feinstein absence stalling Biden judicial picks: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/democrats-raise-alarms-feinsteins-absence-stalls-bidens-judicial-picks-rcna79350 . The Amarillo “activist” (nut) demonstrates why Democrats are so anxious to get the judicial picks through while they control the Senate. The compromise position here is for Feinstein to resign from the Judiciary Committee without resigning from Congress. UPDATE: Feinstein will temporarily step down from Judiciary Committee: https://rollcall.com/2023/04/12/khanna-calls-on-feinstein-to-step-down/ . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/sen-dianne-feinstein-faces-calls-to-resign-after-being-sidelined-with-shingles-19b07de .
Security document for Biden visit to Northern Ireland found on a Belfast street: https://news.yahoo.com/police-documents-detailing-president-biden-142957668.html . This snafu apparently belongs to the local police. However, given the fears of more terrorism around the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday accord, this breach of security is so far thankfully nothing more than a major embarrassment.
Second Black lawmaker returned to Tennessee House: https://apnews.com/article/ab25c5f0a0f741659a6e041a4a9791f6 . Boy, did the GOP supermajority screw this up. US Senate Democrats ask DOJ to investigate the expulsions: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/3946093-senate-democrats-doj-probe-expulsion-tennessee-lawmakers/ .
Meanwhile, Arizona GOP expels one of its own nuts: https://apnews.com/article/liz-harris-expel-arizona-legislature-accusations-4e7ac52509920377acc8b71175d38876 .
Fox shareholder sues Murdoch, board members over stolen election lies: https://thehill.com/homenews/media/3945978-shareholder-sues-murdoch-board-members-over-2020-election-coverage/ . The executives of public corporations have a duty to their shareholders. So this suit has a good chance of making it to trial, presumably as a class action lawsuit..
Judge sanctions Fox for withholding information in Dominion Voting case: https://www.nbcnews.com/media/fox-sanctioned-withholding-evidence-dominion-case-rcna79377 . As noted previously, Fox’s violation of Rule No. 1 will cost them in this case. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/judge-blasts-fox-news-over-evidence-disclosures-in-defamation-case-53663a82 .
Fox keeps broadcasting Orange Julius lying his big butt off: https://news.yahoo.com/trumps-tale-of-crying-manhattan-court-employees-was-absolute-bs-law-enforcement-source-says-160349195.html . Again, this is not journalism. It is a danger to democracy.
Meanwhile, OJ sues Michael Cohen for $500 million: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-sues-michael-cohen-key-witness-ny-criminal-case-seeking-500-mill-rcna79399 . So clearly, $500 million is not happening in any universe. Cohen received a 3-year prison sentence for facilitating the hush money pay-offs. He served 13½ months in prison and an additional 18 months of home confinement: https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-crime-new-york-manhattan-campaigns-3a0413202e80ab99c9f6377f97d07c04 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-sues-former-lawyer-michael-cohen-9760da77 .
Also, OJ requests month-long delay in E. Jean Carroll’s civil suit as “cooling off” period: https://apnews.com/article/trump-rape-lawsuit-columnist-153923e8c77c44617e0ece25cad6a9ef . The judge should not grant this request. If there’s a one month cooling off period every time OJ is indicted, it could be a long time before the case gets to trial.
OJ sends missing gift to National Archives: https://sports.yahoo.com/trump-says-missing-golf-club-210712110.html . This is all government property, period. So, 1 returned, about 100 to go. What an ignorant pig …
Democrats choose Chicago for 2024 convention: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/president-biden-announces-chicago-site-2024-dnc-convention-rcna79044 .