WSJ: Significant US medical inflation looms: https://www.wsj.com/articles/hospitals-look-to-raise-treatment-costs-as-nurses-salaries-increase-11652007602 .
Global COVID medicine distribution issues: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/seeking-covid-pills-poor-nations-fear-repeat-of-aids-crisis/ar-AAX29aY?cvid=e44d3d8e31034b34a995619050812136 .
Zero COVID has emptied downtown Beijing: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220509-downtown-beijing-goes-quiet-as-zero-covid-policy-smothers-capital . More: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-05-09/go-home-covid-hit-shanghai-beijing-tell-residents-to-avoid-social-contacts . This blind adherence to Zero COVID is seriously damaging the Chinese economy. How long will the damage last? Still more: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-05-08/beijing-city-reports-39-new-local-covid-infections-over-past-24-hours . Also: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-05-08/shanghai-tightens-lockdown-to-hit-zero-covid-goal-by-late-may-sources . And: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-05-08/chaos-at-apple-supplier-quanta-shows-strains-of-shanghai-covid-lockdown . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/beijing-residents-keep-faith-with-governments-zero-covid-strategy-11651996670 .
WSJ: US facing summer electricity shortages: https://www.wsj.com/articles/electricity-shortage-warnings-grow-across-u-s-11652002380 . The infrastructure package addressed upgrading the grids. Where’s the progress? We all know that conversion away from fossil fuels raises the demands on the grids. And the Texas grid failure and the California wildfire problems from the aging grid are well-known.
What will Putin say on Victory Day?: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russia-ukraine-war-updates-moscow-celebrates-victory-day-as-ukraine-reels-from-strike-on-school/ar-AAX3Jkb?cvid=ae3f5d287afb45698a7dead54f4e9551 . One would hope he will declare a limited victory and pull back from the areas of Ukraine he does not control. However, that seems unlikely as the Russians have made limited advances even in eastern Ukraine.
Russia’s senior commanders head to the front in Ukraine: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/russias-senior-commanders-are-headed-to-the-front-lines-in-ukraine-uk . This offers a possible explanation for the odd behavior of US intelligence in claiming involvement in the Ukrainian success in targeting Russia’s senior officers. Undoubtedly the Russian brass is demoralized by the significant loss of commanding officers. The US comments could have been made to emphasize that they are indeed targets.
New G7 sanctions against Russia: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/group-of-seven-issues-new-sanctions-against-russia-over-ukraine-invasion/ar-AAX303f?cvid=28c26ff89d3941d99cff50aa0013efda . The longer the war drags on, the tighter the sanctions will bite. And they will not be eased quickly. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-targets-russian-media-bank-executives-with-new-sanctions-11652025601 .
Lockheed ramps up Javelin missile production to double capacity: https://thehill.com/policy/defense/3481352-lockheed-martin-to-ramp-up-javelin-missile-production-amid-ukraine-war/ . This is a risk-free business move. The US military has already sent one third of its Javelin inventory to Ukraine, so this production is needed simply to replenish the US arsenal. And right now, the war in Ukraine looks to be continuing for months if not years.
Klobuchar rails against Supreme Court reversal of Roe v Wade: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/fall-swift-roe-wade-overturned-sen-amy-klobuchar/story?id=84564280 . This is political speech, more in the category of “fighting words” than of public debate. Right now, the Court decision would be either 6-2 or 5-3 depending on where Roberts lands. (I am guessing he will come out in favor of stare decisis in light of public blowback, and Alito’s pathetic draft.) So there is no argument for the Court delaying the case for reargument to get past the November elections. This would include Ketanji Jackson Brown, who would vote with the minority, further embarrassing the majority.
The conservatives have their long-time wish. It is likely to consolidate their base, and further shrink it. The public passed them by on this issue a long time ago: https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2019/08/29/u-s-public-continues-to-favor-legal-abortion-oppose-overturning-roe-v-wade/ . So did prior Supreme Courts, who have repeatedly considered this issue. Recent polling has been 66% for upholding Roe, 34% against, so the majority in favor of Roe remains large.
The Court’s major misstep, which will trigger abortion laws in about 13 more states, may well affect the November elections. For example, this appears to be a significant windfall for Beto O’Rourke in Texas, who is already within the margin of error against Greg Abbott.
Speculation on the leak turns to a conservative clerk: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/npr-reporter-says-leading-theory-on-scotus-leak-is-conservative-clerk/ar-AAX3vyY?cvid=d821fddb03474058a620b4cc1c16f335 . Given the backlash, this theory makes the most sense – in hindsight. But all of this remains speculation, and it seems unlikely that the Court’s security apparatus can effectively investigate this.
Sexual harassment in the November elections: https://www.aol.com/news/least-9-midterm-candidates-face-090159463.html . This stuff is a complete disqualifier in my view. However, I am even more disgusted by the hypocrisy of the GOP base.
The limits of OJ’s endorsement powers: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-emboldened-after-ohio-victory-faces-challenges-ahead/ar-AAX3jPm?cvid=3136ace7598e48dea08099e9ca733b4d .
China is abusing US government small tech support: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pentagons-china-warning-prompts-calls-to-vet-u-s-funding-of-startups-11652014803 .