COVID symptoms change over time: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-symptoms-loss-of-smell-taste-less-common-omicron-study/ . Apparently, as Omicron has become the dominant variant, the loss of taste or smell has become a more unusual symptom of COVID. The symptoms have dropped from 50% of patients early in the pandemic to just 3%-4% currently.
Wegovy reduces heart attacks 20%: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wegovy-trial-heart-attack-cardiac-events-lower-risk/ . Wegovy is the same drug as Ozempic. Logically, weight loss would reduce heart risk, but quantification helps. However, insurers are resisting covering this drug, with current expense of $1,350 per month. The additional health benefits may reduce that resistance. More: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/wegovy-weight-loss-drug-heart-attack-stroke-570f435e . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-obesity-drug-revolution-just-got-real-918e958c .
Valley fever spreads across Southwest: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/valley-fever-symptoms-fungus-coccidioides/ . “Valley” fever is named after the San Joaquin Valley in California: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/valley-fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20378761 . It’s bad there because of massive commercial agriculture production, with considerable amounts of soil tilling. The article indicates it has tripled in California, which makes me wonder about the effects of the historic spring and early summer flooding in the valley.
Technical predictions of a US recession: https://www.fool.com/investing/2023/08/08/recession-tool-not-wrong-57-years-next-for-stocks/ .
WSJ: Chinese exports fall: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-exports-fall-at-steepest-pace-since-february-2020-e930246b . This indicates deep problems in the Chinese economy. Meanwhile, their largest surviving property developer heads for default: https://www.wsj.com/articles/country-garden-chinas-largest-surviving-developer-sinks-into-debt-crisis-2a525173 .
Niger coup: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/niger-junta-snubs-u-s-backed-peace-mission-a79f76e5 . The West appears to losing this nation to Wagner and the dark side.
WSJ: US cluster munitions assist Ukraine counteroffensive: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-made-cluster-munitions-fuel-ukrainian-counteroffensive-c45c305f . Meanwhile, China tries to play the middle: https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-reassures-russia-on-ukraine-after-meeting-with-others-on-how-to-end-the-war-a6960a81 .
Ohio voters tell GOP to cut the crap: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4134443-ohio-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seen-as-threat-to-abortion-rights-effort/ . This miserable effort to mislead voters deservedly goes down. The abortion issue was a loser for the Supreme Court. It has every indication of becoming a big loser for the GOP. Enough already with the damn culture wars.
Little Donny Dimwit (OJ, who else?) hurts his cause: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-election-grand-jury-back-work-federal-courthouse-rcna98813 . Now OJ says he will violate a court order even before the matter has been decided. The judge would be justified in placing a gag order on him, and promising jail time if he violates it. WSJ: More?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/judge-considers-limits-on-what-donald-trump-can-reveal-about-election-subversion-case-eed9635e . The DOJ’s request is a reasonable approach to maintain orderly trial of this case. The defense suggestion is clearly a leaky boat. While I can imagine some loosening of the DOJ’s approach, the defense goes way too far.
Also, the defense suggestion that this is a trial about First Amendment rights is in my view a big mistake. The indictment already addresses that assertion effectively. Furthermore, the purpose of discovery is not to give the defendant material for free speech. So the defense again risks violating Rule No. 1.
Meanwhile, Laurence Tribe calls out Kenneth Cheseboro, Co-Conspirator No. 5: https://www.justsecurity.org/87498/kenneth-chesebros-misrepresentation-of-laurence-tribe-scholarship-in-his-efforts-to-overturn-the-2020-presidential-election/ .
WSJ: ABA requires lawyers to better vet clients: https://www.wsj.com/articles/american-bar-association-votes-to-amend-rule-on-client-due-diligence-bd6daefb .
FBI and Australian police break global child sex abuse ring: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/child-sex-abuse-australia-arrests-fbi-agents-murder-rcna98707 .
DeMentis fires campaign manager: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/desantis-replaces-campaign-manager-amid-ongoing-presidential-bid-adjustments . The language has a phrase for this – “lead balloon”. I am encouraged that the GOP refuses to invest itself in another authoritarian. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ron-desantis-names-new-manager-for-struggling-2024-campaign-3b319015 .
WSJ: Wells Fargo screws up AGAIN: https://www.wsj.com/articles/wells-fargo-bnp-paribas-others-to-pay-555-million-in-fines-for-use-of-messaging-apps-e91c8a15 . I cannot imagine why anyone still does business with this bank. Banks are a heavily regulated industry, for obvious reasons. So Wells Fargo’s chronic violations are a clear indication they do not belong in this industry.
Biden designates new Grand Canyon National Monument: https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/4144294-biden-formally-designates-new-grand-canyon-national-monument/ . Northern Arizona’s economy depends heavily on the tourism associated with the Grand Canyon. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-to-designate-new-national-monument-to-protect-land-near-grand-canyon-fa3fbd3c .
Supreme Court allows ghost gun regulation to stand for now: https://www.aol.com/supreme-court-backs-bidens-tougher-164336607.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/supreme-court-lets-ghost-gun-regulations-stand-ee714e0c . I particularly like the IKEA analogy discussed in this article – the government is making a very clever argument.
Nut World flies, with predictable results: https://www.aol.com/news/faa-refers-39-more-unruly-164826048.html . We are beset with egocentric idiots.
“Sassy Trucker” departs Dubai: https://apnews.com/article/dubai-sassy-trucker-arrest-speech-texas-rental-cc175757d1aeff15e837ec7b396265cb . It is never a good idea to sass anyone. For an American abroad, consequences often follow. Ms. Allen should adjust either her behavior or her international travel plans. However, as previously noted, she may also have been the victim of a shakedown known to occur in Dubai.
WSJ: The Pac-12 “dumpster fire”: https://www.wsj.com/sports/football/pac-12-collapse-commissioner-george-kliavkoff-c3df1d9f . So, any way you look at it, this commissioner failed.