Japanese COVID drug effective in Phase III trials: https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2022-09-27/japans-shionogi-says-covid-pill-reaches-endpoint-in-phase-iii-trial . The drug, named ensitrelvir, is a protease inhibitor. Protease inhibitors slow the progression of HIV by lowering the patient’s viral load.
Medicare Part B premiums to drop 3% in 2023: https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/27/politics/medicare-premiums-biden/index.html . The outsized 14.5% Part B premium increase for 2022 reflected the controversial approval of the Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm. Subsequently, Medicare significantly restricted eligibility for the drug, and the maker significantly cut its price.
WSJ: Another Alzheimer’s drug progresses: https://www.wsj.com/articles/alzheimers-drug-slows-alzheimers-progression-in-trial-11664321462 .
Energy prices may cut European generic drug production: https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2022-09-27/europes-generic-drugmakers-may-cut-output-due-to-surging-energy-bills .
Backlash against Putin’s call-up as over 260,000 men exit Russia: https://news.yahoo.com/putins-mobilization-draws-public-blowback-especially-in-minority-regions-191000324.html . There is no doubt that the Russian populace has turned against the war and Putin. Putin had no exit plan from Ukraine. He should rethink his exit plan from office. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/almost-100-000-russians-have-crossed-into-kazakhstan-since-putins-mobilization-order-11664292051 .
WSJ: Ukrainian advance continues into northern Donetsk: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraines-new-offensive-threatens-moscows-control-of-lands-it-seeks-to-annex-11664285782 . The speed of this advance can only be explained by demoralized Russian troops.
WSJ: Senate includes more military aid for Ukraine in bill to fund US government: https://www.wsj.com/articles/stopgap-funding-bill-includes-12-3-billion-in-new-ukraine-aid-11664299297 . However, the Senate dropped additional COVID funding: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-aid-left-out-of-stopgap-funding-bill-11664314376 .
As of 11:59 pm Eastern time, Hurricane Ian has shifted south: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/weather/hurricane/os-ne-huricane-ian-florida-tuesday-20220927-qs3hhliphfao7gnz7bsv4w4aje-story.html . It is now projected to come ashore near Fort Myers. For Tampa, this is a major improvement over both the initial forecast calling for Ian to stall over Tampa, and the revised forecast which had it coming through Tampa, causing 10 to 15 foot storm surges in Tampa Bay. But it will still be a major hurricane, even for Florida.
The January 6 committee postpones its Wednesday hearing: https://www.npr.org/2022/09/27/1125436577/jan-6-hearings-committee-postponed-hurricane-ian . Part of the postponement was that the committee has a member from Florida whose district is in danger. But another part was that the committee did not want to compete with the storm for media attention.
A particularly violent insurrectionist found guilty: https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-riots-maine-government-and-politics-9565a431fce198208c9ae7e14a75e727 . The injury of multiple Capitol police officers is particularly damning. Just as a guess, he is looking at 8 to 12 years of prison time. The guess considers the sentences handed out to other insurrectionists, but this is a unique fact pattern.
Trial begins for Oath Keepers leader: https://www.wsj.com/articles/sedition-trial-set-to-begin-for-oath-keepers-tied-to-capitol-riot-11664231867 .
Jean Carroll’s suit against Orange Julius suffers setback: https://www.aol.com/news/appeals-court-seeks-guidance-lawsuit-141514172-170904771.html . As the article indicates, another court will weigh in to determine the future of this suit. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-might-be-shielded-from-defamation-suit-appeals-court-rules-11664298674 .
Texas AG flees subpoena server: https://apnews.com/article/texas-dallas-subpoenas-ken-paxton-3fa293d712fda938142c86aaf5be83c1 . Any lawyer who flees a process server is an embarrassment to the profession. But a state attorney general? Texas really has become the theater of the absurd.
DeMentis did not inform Texas Governor Abbott of his migrant kidnapping plan: https://www.aol.com/news/texas-gov-greg-abbotts-aides-003049358.html . Speaking of out-of-control lawyers, DeMentis is setting new personal bests in the Idiot Olympics.
Armadillos spread in Illinois: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-texans-who-are-moving-to-illinois-armadillos-11664288490 . Is this another effect of global warming?
–– An ongoing issue is causing a site warning to newsletter recipients. I have spent many hours with technical support trying to unravel this problem. The site is safe and secure, but some as-yet not fully resolved issue in the certificate chain is apparently causing this warning message. We’ll keep at it —