September availability for COVID vaccines: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-vaccine-booster-xbb-variants-september-2023/ . Three vaccines are expected to be available – Pfizer, Moderna and Novovax. The bivalent approach has been replaced this year by a monovalent vaccine. As all varieties currently circulating in the US are descendants of the XBB subvariant, the new approach should result in an effective vaccine and booster. It is unclear whether China’s reduced data disclosure puts the world at risk from an unidentified or unreported variant.
WSJ: Subvariant EG.5 now named “Eris”: https://www.wsj.com/articles/eg5-eris-new-covid-19-variant-fa3cc260 .
China ends COVID-era group travel bans to 78 countries: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-08-09/china-adds-more-destination-countries-for-outbound-group-tourism . More: https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/JAPAN-AIRLINES-CO-LTD-11551593/news/China-drops-COVID-19-group-travel-bans-to-78-nations-including-U-S-Japan-44579227/ .
Drug shortages affect one-third of US hospitals: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/drug-shortages-causing-hospitals-skip-delay-ration-care-survey-finds-rcna99007 . For many of these patients, these are life-or-death problems.
CAR-T therapy extended to multiple myeloma: https://www.foxnews.com/health/novel-cancer-treatment-offers-hope-chemo-radiation-fail-change-peoples-lives . CAR-T therapy has been used in blood cancer treatment for about 20 years, primarily non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). In recent years, the therapy has been extended to other cancers. In NHL, two other therapies must fail before approval of CAR-T administration, primarily because of its tremendous cost. However, as oncologists become more comfortable with the situations requiring CAR-T, I expect much broader use of the therapy in the future.
WSJ: US maternity wards close as birthrate falls: https://www.wsj.com/articles/hospitals-shutter-maternity-wards-amid-falling-birthrates-ef84edca .
US suicide deaths set record in 2022: https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/10/health/suicide-deaths-record-high-2022/index.html . Note that this not just a record total number of suicides. This death record covers suicides per 100,000 citizens.
Social Security 2023 COLA estimate is 3%: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/social-securitys-cost-of-living-increase-could-be-only-3-will-that-be-enough-183700266.html . Because seniors are major consumers of healthcare, the article makes the important point that living costs for seniors escalate more rapidly than for the general population. Seniors then are forced to scrimp on healthcare, which is certainly unhealthy for a vulnerable population. Also, reaching retirement age without significant assets outside of Social Security is a significant health risk in our system. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/social-security-payment-increase-cola-2024-retirement-a3fce38e .
Supreme Court pauses Purdue Pharma bankruptcy: https://abcnews.go.com/US/scotus-pauses-purdue-pharma-bankruptcy-plan-shield-founders/story?id=102182187 . No one likes the idea that the Sacklers can cause all this damage and then still walk away billionaires. Argument will occur sometime in the next term, which begins in October. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/supreme-court-blocks-purdue-pharmas-6-billion-sackler-opioid-settlement-382a105d .
WSJ: Our parent company loses money in latest quarter: https://www.wsj.com/articles/news-corp-nwsa-q4-earnings-report-2023-2bcd28c5 .
Will the Fed continue rate hikes?: https://www.fool.com/investing/2023/08/10/will-fed-raise-rates-1-chart-give-away-the-answer/ . Some nice historical charts show that core inflation remains well above historical norms. This chartless newsletter has been saying the same thing for months, as has the Fed. This is the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation. The conclusion is not difficult to reach. WSJ: We still reach for an alternate conclusion: https://www.wsj.com/articles/consumer-price-index-report-july-inflation-a4a0a670 . The Fed may or may not hike at the next meeting. But, short of striking decreases in the core inflation rate, they will continue increases. I continue to believe that will happen in the next two meetings.
WSJ: Biden asks for substantial additional funds for Ukraine war: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-seeks-billions-in-new-ukraine-funding-2ae7e33d .
Niger coup: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/niger-coup-president-us-fumble-russia-africa-86cf1454-33d18bc . Regional countries say they are forming a “standby force”. And armed intervention is not off the table.
WSJ: China’s local government financing woes: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-deflation-danger-isnt-what-you-think-price-decrease-market-economy-world-recession-4ad190ec . The Chinese has a variety of problems all coming to a head at once.
2023 hurricane outlook worsens: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/2023-atlantic-hurricane-season-outlook-worsens-record-warm-temperatures-noaa-forecast-update/ . Given record ocean temperatures in the Atlantic, this is hardly a surprise.
Maui wildfires kill at least 36: https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/10/us/maui-wildfires-hurricane-dora-thursday/index.html . The historic town of Lahaina appears nearly totally destroyed. Tourism will likely be devastated for years to come: https://www.aol.com/burned-down-ashes-why-devastated-153031976.html . Aerial photos: https://www.aol.com/satellite-images-show-scale-hawaii-145521517.html . UPDATE: WSJ: Death toll now at 53: https://www.wsj.com/articles/hawaii-maui-wildfires-36-dead-6e07f2b7 . However, everyone expects a significant rise in the death toll. I have heard news reports that the death toll is now 60, but nothing in writing so far. Biden issues federal disaster declaration: https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/10/politics/biden-hawaii-disaster-declaration/index.html .
OJ lawyers make a ridiculous request: Allow classified documents review at Mar-a-Lago: https://www.salon.com/2023/08/10/legal-experts-cannon-risks-recusal-as-asks-to-bring-docs-back-to-scene-of-the-crime/ . Classified documents are protected for obvious reasons. Suggesting special arrangements for a defense team’s convenience is absurd, and Judge Cannon should have denied this immediately. Furthermore, the location they suggested is the exact one where the misuse occurred. Really, how stupid can you be?
Meanwhile, the prosecutors make a trial date request in DC in line with yesterday’s suggestion: https://www.aol.com/news/prosecutors-seek-jan-2-trial-175556082.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-pleads-not-guilty-to-latest-mar-a-lago-documents-charges-95e2a980 . As prosecutors estimate the trial length at 4 to 6 weeks, this date significantly increases the possibility that the jury will find OJ guilty by the end of February. I expect/hope Judge Chutkan will remain skeptical of the OJ attorneys’ attempts to delay this case. There is a lot of evidence to review, but much of it is publicly available already. (y, 8/9/23)
Judge Chutkan hears arguments tomorrow (Friday) on protective order on prosecutor’s evidence: https://apnews.com/article/jan6-trump-indictment-protective-order-jack-smith-7129afbb11d968b42c9500559109f522 . I see no reason why the court would not grant this request. This does not prevent Orange Julius from taking about the already-public evidence in the case. However, the prosecutor should be able to present his evidence to the jury first, without being derailed by the defendant. The First Amendment is not involved in this matter.
Indeed, were I the judge (Yay! Lock him up!) considering the circumstances in this case, I would warn the defense lawyers that I will hold the defendant in contempt if he discusses the prosecutor’s evidence publicly. The consequence of such contempt, at a minimum, would be to bar the defendant from any further discussion of the case publicly before trial. Others also expect a stern warning from the judge tomorrow: https://www.rawstory.com/donald-trump-stern-warning/ .
Legal scholars say Fourteenth Amendment disqualifies OJ from holding federal office: https://www.alternet.org/immediate-disqualification-conservative-law-professors/ . This is an important development. The article is receiving praise from other prominent members of the Federalist Society. Also, it is a gift to the special prosecutor in the DC case. And it forces lawyers supporting OJ to respond with countervailing Constitutional arguments. These two appear to have shredded the arguments so far offered that the Fourteenth Amendment does not apply. The link at the end of the article takes you to the full law review article.
WSJ: Our summary of OJ’s legal woes: https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-guide-to-donald-trumps-legal-perils-b9b64891 .
WSJ: Will Joe Manchin leave the Democratic party?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/joe-manchin-weighs-leaving-democratic-party-785454cc . This of course is important only if he runs. So Manchin is considering a strategic question about his re-election bid.
The GOP culture war attacks … Tony the Tiger?: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/stephen-miller-group-files-complaint-kelloggs-woke-programs-rcna99210 . Wow, Tony touched a transgender person! What’s on the cereal box is Kellogg’s business. The “more” serious question is whether a company can promote diversity through quotas or other affirmative action. However, I doubt very much the EEOC will act on this. That no lawsuit was filed tells me this is a publicity/fundraising stunt. There’s essentially no expense or risk in writing a letter to the EEOC.
Meanwhile, Pro Publica documents the graft Justice Embarrassment has accepted: https://www.aol.com/news/us-supreme-courts-clarence-thomas-134321368.html .
Colleges revert to blue books to thwart students using ChatGPT: https://www.foxnews.com/us/colleges-scramble-chatgpt-proof-classes-some-professors-report-dozens-cheating-students .
Scientists find evidence of fifth force of nature: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-66407099 . In a surprise to the GOP, it’s not Orange Julius.
Iran will free 5 US citizens in exchange for access to $6 billion in frozen assets: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-american-prisoners-house-arrest/ . No American should go to any country where the government could unlawfully imprison you. Everyone should now understand the risks involved. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/iran-releases-four-americans-from-evin-prison-b396ee09 .
UPS drivers to earn $170,000 in pay and benefits by the end of the new contract: https://www.aol.com/full-time-ups-drivers-earn-001033190.html . Together with the failure of Yellow Trucking, shipping costs must be going up.
Southwest offers free same-day standby to all passengers: https://www.aol.com/southwest-airlines-announces-free-same-151714706.html .
ACC put Stanford, Cal on hold: https://apnews.com/article/acc-pac12-washington-state-conference-realignment-3dbdfd282f532c2b0951fb9ab2647b17 . The votes needed are currently lacking. So the ACC is apparently looking for alternate ways to add these two programs that will gain the necessary votes.
Solving the realignment problem: No conferences for football: https://clutchpoints.com/college-football-must-ditch-conferences-pac-12-big-ten-realignment . I agree. Football decisions (driven by money) are now affecting all other college sports. That is not right. I like 64 teams in a Power Five grouping, and 64 in a Group of Five. However, the problem here is that Group of Five schools should have the opportunity to advance to the Power Five, where most of the money is. So each year, the top 4 Group of Five programs move up, and the lowest 4 Power Five teams move down. Done. Next.