Suicides spike among elderly men: https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/15/health/suicide-elderly-men-firearms-2021/index.html . The US suicide rate is 14 per 100,000 per year. The rate for men 85 and older is 4 times higher, 56 per 100,000, with ¾ of those deaths involving guns. I would also bet that a strong majority of these men are Orange Julius voters.
Odds for UAW-GM deal ratification improve: https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/uaw-workers-at-gms-largest-plant-back-labor-pact-boosting-deals-chances-e412e2d9 .
WSJ: UK inflation declines: https://www.wsj.com/economy/central-banking/uk-inflation-fell-to-two-year-low-in-october-358c55c3 . While this is still too-high inflation, it’s a big step in the right direction.
Biden meets with Xi in San Francisco: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-xi-jinping-takeaways-c8384d40661a32aa276ec8ca97f35003 . There were concrete accomplishments (reduction of fentanyl chemical production, for example) as well as senior-level approval to re-establish communications and a general “de-icing” of the relationship. Orange Julius could not have accomplished anything like this, and we really don’t need any more “love letters” with Kim Jong Un. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/world/joe-biden-xi-jinping-meeting-san-francisco-a35277e0 .
WSJ: China property market continues contraction: https://www.wsj.com/finance/stocks/too-soon-to-bet-on-chinas-housing-turnaround-2e1052a5 .
Hamas hostage talks continue: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/israel-gaza-war-live-updates-biden-deeply-involved-in-hostage-talks-israel-releases-photos-from-al-shifa-raid/ar-AA1k0M99?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=d7fd08be0cdb4ea7b8a430a09c13257c&ei=33 .Just as Hamas uses the Gaza population as human shields, so too they are using the hostages to gain delays and advantage.WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/u-s-presses-for-gaza-hostages-release-as-fears-grow-over-their-safety-9a92af06 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/hamas-hostages-israel-gaza-41432124 .
IDF releases Hamas bodycam video from October 7: https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/15/middleeast/bodycam-video-hamas-massacre-tunnels-intl/index.html . Again, Israel is waging a strong front in the information war within the Gaza invasion.
WSJ: Evidence of Hamas presence in Gaza hospital: https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-hamas-war-gaza-al-shifa-hospital-8121c9c7 .
WSJ: UN mission in Gaza derailed by Israeli invasion: https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/a-mission-to-save-gaza-from-a-humanitarian-crisis-is-unraveling-a1e0583d .
Ukrainian troops cross Dnipro River: https://www.wsj.com/world/ukraine-seeks-to-reignite-counteroffensive-with-daring-river-crossings-07e68b97 .
Senate passes government shutdown delay: https://www.aol.com/senate-passes-temporary-plan-avoid-041914616.html. As some commentators have noted, we did avoid a shutdown, but in a really stupid way. Congress kicked the can only 2 months down the road, with the issue reappearing as the 2024 election cycle begins in earnest. The House will most likely screw this up again. Meanwhile, a Freedom Caucus hissy fit sends the House home early: https://www.aol.com/house-abruptly-heads-home-early-204735595.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/both-parties-lose-appetite-for-government-shutdown-standoffsfor-now-c67015d9 .
Is Chip Roy the stupidest person in the House GOP?: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/chip-roy-one-thing-republicans_n_65558afae4b0998d699ec417 . This is incredibly convincing evidence, but it’s not even close. Lauren Boebert publicly groping her date commands this “award”.
Lawyer of Georgia RICO defendant admits leaking evidence: https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4311369-lawyer-georgia-defendant-trump-election-case-admits-leaking-witness-video/ . A lawyer who takes a high-profile case and pulls a stunt like this is almost requesting discipline. I expect he will get it, because stuff like this can definitely prejudice the jury pool. Also, to the best of my knowledge this does not create a basis for appeal by the other defendants – the state has done no wrong. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/judge-in-trumps-georgia-case-to-bar-release-of-sensitive-evidence-after-media-leaks-c9f473f1 .
Meanwhile, defendant Harrison Floyd and his lawyers have their own problems: https://apnews.com/article/trump-georgia-election-indictment-floyd-ed9bb3a7822e4a211287e4dd00ac790d .
OJ’s lawyers request mistrial in NY fraud case: https://www.aol.com/news/trump-asks-mistrial-civil-fraud-152328822.html . Not happening.
New Zealand crowns Bird of the Century: https://www.cnn.com/travel/bird-of-the-century-winner-puteketeke-john-oliver-intl-hnk/index.html . You cannot make this stuff up …
Woman makes record-breaking … wig: https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/15/style/nigeria-record-breaking-wig-11-15-2023-scli-intl/index.html . Again, you cannot make this stuff up …
Oregon’s Bo Nix now favored for Heisman: https://sports.yahoo.com/heisman-watch-is-it-a-four-player-race-as-we-head-into-the-home-stretch-130036609.html . If Nix can win every game he plays from here (a tall order), he could not only win the Heisman but a national championship as well. Meanwhile, Oregon remains rated #6. What’s wrong with this picture?