Maui wildfire death toll at 80: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hawaii-wildfires-maui-lahaina-death-toll-warning-sirens/ . We continue to have very limited information as the fire destroyed considerable infrastructure (parts of the electric grid and cellphone service). The estimated number of missing persons remains up to 1,000 people, so the death toll of 80 will continue rising. CNN: More: https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/12/us/maui-wildfires-hurricane-dora-saturday/index.html .
UPDATE: Death toll now 89, making this the deadliest US fire in over 100 years: https://apnews.com/article/maui-hawaii-fires-lahaina-destruction-evacuation-38ec0d6a5c610035a0a72b804fcdffe0 . Again, the death toll will go much higher. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/maui-wildfires-recovery-efforts-continue-as-death-toll-hits-55-8ce5a88a (this link was included yesterday but the information has been significantly updated; however, as of early Sunday it still shows a death toll of 80). The Journal has now posted a new article (different link) with the death toll updated to 89: https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-maui-fires-leave-at-least-80-dead-some-residents-return-a3b7d2a4 .
WSJ: China homebuyers delay purchases: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-home-buyers-are-waiting-out-the-property-slump-bcbf9239 . This is logical behavior, of course. China could address it by offering incentives to the buyers, but that might simply delay the price correction.
WSJ: Ukraine focuses on cutting off supplies to Crimea: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-steps-up-campaign-to-isolate-russian-occupied-crimea-b11e4d01 .
Fulton County DA presenting witness to grand jury early this week: https://abcnews.go.com/US/fulton-county-da-asks-witnesses-grand-jury-early/story?id=102225108 . We continue to expect an indictment this month; earlier reports suggested the indictment would come by August 18 (this Friday). More: https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/12/politics/fulton-county-trump-investigation-explainer/index.html . Fani Willis may file more than a dozen indictments: https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/09/politics/trump-georgia-fani-willis-dozen-indictments/index.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/atlanta-grand-jury-to-hear-trump-case-early-next-week-89b60289 .
Women’s World Cup semifinals: Australia to meet England Wednesday: https://www.wsj.com/sports/soccer/australia-england-womens-world-cup-france-colombia-87c13ff4 . In the other semi, Spain meets Sweden Tuesday.
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NOTE TO READERS: You may have noticed, that despite my designation of the Friday and Saturday newsletters as voluntary, they continue to appear like clockwork. So, different strategy. Over Labor Day weekend, I am planning to drive to a distant, wooded, rustic retreat with (allegedly) no Internet connections, leaving early Friday morning (September 1) and returning late Monday night (September 4). Perhaps I will somehow dent this daily addiction — Best regards, and thanks for reading — Jeff