Government-funded COVID research program: https://www.aol.com/news/only-beginning-know-why-doctors-090600513.html . We clearly need answers, as some estimate that 30% of COVID patients suffer long COVID symptoms. With over 600 million cases reported worldwide, that translates to 200 million long COVID sufferers. The severity of the initial illness does not reliably predict the severity of long COVID. And for many, long COVID produces brain fog, long-term fatigue and a host of other debilitating effects.
West Virginia near-total abortion ban signed by governor: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3646621-west-virginia-governor-signs-bill-severely-limiting-abortion-access/ .
The risk of stagflation: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2022/06/07/stagflation-risk-rises-amid-sharp-slowdown-in-growth-energy-markets . As readers know, my view is that current US inflation will be stubborn but ultimately transitory, subsiding within the next 12 months. As such, stagflation is not a long-term risk for the economy. However, this article reminds us that stagflation is a meaningful risk for developing nations. As previously noted, rising US interest rates put pressure on developing countries with substantial foreign debt. We are likely to see more defaults on development debt.
Will the Ukrainian counteroffensive push into Luhansk?: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2022/09/17/UK-Ukraine-Russia-Luhansk-Zelenskiy/9851663420797/ . This question would have been unthinkable a month ago. The rapidity of Ukraine’s recent gains now raises this possibility. UPDATE: Ukraine advances toward the Luhansk region: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ukraine-delivers-another-blow-to-russia-as-it-breaches-front-line-on-oskil-river/ar-AA11W1H5?cvid=98921db5f4ec4b7ea72c0f6b01964256 . These advances seem comparable to the German blitzkrieg. At the moment, Russia appears unable to establish and maintain a line in the northeast.
WSJ: Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to gather evidence of Russian war crimes: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-officials-press-case-of-russian-war-crimes-11663422628 . But as new areas are retaken, more war crimes are discovered.
Is Orange Julius’ Truth Social another failed business?: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/sep/17/truth-social-trump-business-sec . There would seem to be an obvious business plan – sell ad space. This could have been a meaningful income producer in this election season for those seeking to reach the MAGA-maniacs. So how do you fail to have a business plan, fail to settle with the SEC, and get your $1.3 billion? The logical conclusion is that the funds release will trigger more securities problems (fraud), and so the purpose here is not business, but another OJ complaint platform. We’ll see.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders released from hospital after thyroid cancer surgery: https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-health-arkansas-little-rock-2d9515f25bd7dcc86e86bfb6273ada29 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/sarah-huckabee-sanders-says-she-is-cancer-free-after-thyroid-surgery-11663429727 .