JN.1 now dominant COVID variant: https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2023-12-22/cdc-says-jn-1-variant-accounts-for-39-50-of-covid-cases-in-us . If we can only say the variant causes between 39% and 50% of new COVID cases, obviously we are not doing adequate tracking.
More encouraging inflation news: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/inflation-down-first-time-since-2020-pce/ . This is a bit overblown for a 0.1% decline, but an election year is coming … WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/economy/what-to-watch-in-fridays-spending-report-inflation-closing-in-on-feds-target-0778037d .
Israel blows up Hamas “subterranean terrorist city” in Gaza: https://www.aol.com/news/israel-blows-subterranean-city-gaza-132347945.html . This is a major escalation in the war. The Israelis have consistently alleged that Hamas operated an extensive tunnel operation: https://www.idf.il/en/mini-sites/the-hamas-terrorist-organization/everything-you-need-to-know-about-hamas-underground-city-of-terror/ . They have now destroyed it. There are likely some tunnels left in Rafah, the so-called “safe zone” on the Egyptian border where fleeing Palestinians are trapped. And yet, there was also a targeted drone attack in that city today destroying a civilian car and killing an unspecified number of civilians (first article).
There could hardly be a clearer statement that Israel will not stop until Hamas is, as far as possible, annihilated. The Israelis have offered a two-week ceasefire, but refuse a long-lasting truce at this time. There is every possibility that Rafah is next. The two-week ceasefire would allow the establishment by Israel of refugee camps in northern Gaza, supplied from the Israeli side of the border. And then, any remaining tunnels in Rafah (potentially leading into Egypt) will be destroyed.
WSJ: Iranians assist Houthis in Red Sea shipping attacks: https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iranian-spy-ship-helps-houthis-direct-attacks-on-red-sea-vessels-d6f7fd40 .
Biden pardons marijuana use nationwide: https://www.aol.com/biden-pardons-marijuana-nationwide-heres-135757530.html . Is this an attempt to regain the youth vote? Maybe, but Biden did issue a narrower pardon last year. Happy holidays …
Supreme Court refuses to fast-track presidential immunity issue: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-sidesteps-decision-trump-presidential-immunity-claim-fed-rcna130769 . The DC Circuit will take this up in two weeks and is likely to rule fairly quickly. In my view, this is an easy case, and the Supreme Court should find in Smith’s favor.
Internet hammers Derchowitz for OJ defense: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/intentionally-lying-alan-dershowitz-slammed-for-defending-trump-and-saying-there-was-no-insurrection/ar-AA1lTvYY?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=b9534a4af8ae40fd860707d350ee4111&ei=11 . The commentators effectively point out that the conspiracy was far broader than just the riot at the Capitol, and was truly an insurrection. Derchowitz’ legal analysis is different than I’ve seen elsewhere, but it’s also wrong. It’s completely refuted by the previous Colorado election decision made by Neil Gorsuch when he was on the federal bench there.
George Conway points out that more charges could be filed against OJ: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-new-crime-michigan/ . The prosecution of America’s highest-ranking crook is playing out in the public forum. In the court of public opinion, Conway argues that other state charges besides Georgia are not only possible, but warranted. This is important relative to OJ’s legal strategy, which is to delay everything, win the election, and then stop his federal prosecutions. Conway reminds us that Georgia is hardly OJ’s only problem with violation of state laws.
As I have detailed previously, Georgia’s governor has very limited pardon powers, so it would take an act of the legislature to give Brian Kemp the power to fully pardon OJ. That can’t happen in Michigan, with Democratic governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Joe Rogan tattoos a big “L” on his own forehead: https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/4374222-joe-rogan-knocks-biden-over-trumps-claim-of-airports-during-revolutionary-war/ . Joe’s right, you are unfit for the Presidency when you talk about airports during the Revolutionary War. But that was Orange Julius, not Biden, and anyone who reads the newspaper knows that.
Another front in the fight for clean energy: https://news.yahoo.com/hydrogen-tax-credit-plan-unveiled-135243598.html .
Alex Batty tells his story: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alex-batty-british-teen-found-france-missing-6-years-ive-been-lying/ . CBS has regularly updated this story since their original reporting: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alex-batty-missing-for-six-years-found-in-france/ . Also: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alex-batty-returns-britain-missing-6-years-france/ .
Robert Solow, Nobel laureate in economics, passes at 99: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/robert-solow-nobel-laureate-and-founder-of-modern-economic-growth-model-dies-at-99-121345253.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/economy/robert-solow-economist-who-studied-the-importance-of-innovation-for-growth-dies-at-99-3afd7ea3 .