Post-pandemic learning decline unprecedented: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-12-05/mathematics-reading-skills-in-unprecedented-decline-in-teenagers-oecd-survey . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/us-students-global-education-dd7424b2 .
Alzheimer’s blood test nears market: https://www.foxnews.com/health/alzheimers-blood-test-could-hit-market-early-2024-researchers-say .
Organ transplant maintenance testing at risk: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2023/12/05/biden-administration-changes-organ-transplant-tests-impact/71765171007/ . This decision is ridiculous from both a moral and a financial standpoint. One hopes it is reversed quickly to limit its adverse consequences.
Fentanyl exposure syndrome in newborns: https://www.aol.com/news/doctors-may-identified-syndrome-newborns-110000210.html . The number of similar birth defects in these newborns strongly suggests that the mother’s use of fentanyl during pregnancy has had devastating effects on their fetus.
WSJ: CVS moves to “cost plus” drug pricing model: https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/prescription-drug-costs-cvs-pharmacy-56acb623 . Unquestionably, this will increase transparency in drug pricing.
US job openings drop by 700,000 from September to October: https://apnews.com/article/jobs-openings-hiring-economy-inflation-layoffs-459b409075bdc973c63b689bc9d3fe79 .The job market remains healthy, but it is starting to contract. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/economy/jobs/signs-of-a-weakening-job-market-in-five-charts-86b05716 . The Journal’s charts are interesting, but lack matching analysis. Looking at the rate of pay raises, it is hard to see how inflation drops to and stays at 2%.
WSJ: Meta and IBM announce AI Alliance: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-12-05/mathematics-reading-skills-in-unprecedented-decline-in-teenagers-oecd-survey .
WSJ: China’s debt problems endanger its banking system: https://www.wsj.com/world/china/chinas-colossal-hidden-debt-problem-is-coming-to-a-head-83a34dc0 . More: https://www.wsj.com/finance/moodys-cuts-chinas-credit-outlook-to-negative-f84c6edf .
IDF touts high kill ratio of Hamas militants in Gaza war: https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/05/middleeast/israel-hamas-military-civilian-ratio-killed-intl-hnk/index.html . This may be true militarily. However, it is an appallingly insensitive defense of this brutal war. WSJ: Fighting intense in southern Gaza: https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-presses-assault-on-hamass-last-major-gaza-bastion-aabd85b8 . Israel is realizing it cannot let this military action drag on.
WSJ: US restricts Israeli settler visas: https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/u-s-to-restrict-visas-for-violent-israeli-settlers-in-west-bank-ce337f5e .
WSJ: Nuns sue Smith & Wesson: https://www.wsj.com/us-news/activist-nuns-with-stake-in-smith-wesson-sue-gun-maker-over-ar-15-rifles-40759544 .
DC Circuit Court calls prospective jurors for Orange Julius’ January 6 trial: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dc-court-appears-prepping-trump-jury-selection-residents-reportedly-revealing-notice . As long as it’s taken to get to this point, we are still 3 months away from the opening of the trial, which is the day before Super Tuesday.
Interim House Speaker Patrick McHenry will retire from Congress: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/rep-patrick-mchenry-served-temporary-speaker-will-retire-rcna128136 . Yet another sign of the House GOP dysfunction appears. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/patrick-mchenry-who-steered-house-as-temporary-speaker-plans-to-quit-congress-311055b9 .
Tuberville mostly ends blockade of military promotions: https://apnews.com/article/tuberville-senate-military-holds-b4d4fe19bada70a085208c9d82c35cb5 . It is hard to see what good came from this senseless act. On the negative side, many military families bore the brunt of Tuberville’s stunt while military readiness suffered. So why is he continuing to hold up the 11 most senior soldiers up for promotion? WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/tommy-tuberville-backs-down-in-fight-over-military-promotions-494cdbbc .
WSJ: Pay for play at the NCAA: https://www.wsj.com/sports/ncaa-proposal-pay-division-i-athletes-cb7c69db . It’s taken a long time for NCAA to recognize that athletes were delivering money-making services to their schools in return for no pay.