Uneven post-pandemic global vaccinations: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-07-17/childhood-vaccination-rates-begin-to-recover-post-pandemic-but-not-everywhere-u-n-says .
RSV drug approved for infants: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-drug-prevent-rsv-babies-and-toddlers . The drug is not a vaccine but a monoclonal antibody. FDA approved the drug for infants, toddlers up to 24 months old and neonates (infants less than 4 months old).
Eli Lilly’s Alzheimer’s drug progresses: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/eli-lillys-alzheimers-drug-slows-memory-decline-study-finds-rcna94530 . In case you were wondering about the advantages of capitalism, having 2 competing drugs (and more on the way) is likely to accelerate the race to halt this dread disease.
The geography of Alzheimer’s: https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/17/health/alzheimers-prevalence-by-county-wellness/index.html . My first impression of this data is that Miami-Dade is highly ranked because the population is older retirees who have limited family connections (i.e., they moved to Florida). Baltimore, the Bronx and Mississippi all have significant poor minority populations.
Iowa judge blocks 6-week abortion ban: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/iowa-judge-temporarily-blocks-6-week-abortion-ban-rcna94634 . This case will likely quickly make its way to the Iowa Supreme Court.
Real wages grow in June: https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/16/economy/real-wage-gains-inflation/index.html . For the first time in 26 months, wage growth outpaced inflation. However, most analysts believe that more economic trouble remains ahead. While the article describes the Fed as in a pause period, everyone expects the Fed to raise interest rates by 25 basis points next week, and most Fed governors have penciled in another increase later this year. The Fed will continue to raise rates until inflation is down very near to 2%, and my expectation is that they will hold rates steady for about a year thereafter. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pay-raises-are-finally-beating-inflation-after-two-years-of-falling-behind-3e89bc2d .
WSJ: Meanwhile, Europeans are becoming poorer: https://www.wsj.com/articles/europeans-poorer-inflation-economy-255eb629 . Note that Europe is already in recession.
Binance cuts employee benefits: https://www.wsj.com/articles/binance-cuts-back-employee-benefits-citing-decline-in-profit-51d51cf7 . This can be an indirect method of staff reduction.
WSJ: Ukraine counteroffensive moves slowly: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-adopts-slow-approach-to-counteroffensive-our-problem-everywhere-is-the-sky-a2e51d7a . Supposedly neither side has air superiority, so I don’t particularly understand the complaint. However, with F-16’s on the way, the air power balance should tip in Ukraine’s favor.
Russia launches air attacks against southern Ukraine: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/18/russia-launches-wave-of-air-attacks-on-south-and-eastern-ukraine .
Russia halts Ukraine grain deal: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-grain-food-security-ba7f9146b745337a1948a964cb30331c . This appears to make no sense. Russia is allowed to export grain and fertilizer – they are not subject to sanctions: https://apnews.com/article/what-is-black-sea-grain-deal-365db9ddb05fb9f2114347aa59b8546a . Meanwhile, the world is denouncing this stunt because of global food insecurity. Africa needs Ukrainian grain to feed these people. My guess is the Turkey’s President Erdogan will speak to Putin and give him an out from this foolish move. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-says-it-is-pulling-out-of-ukraine-grain-deal-68190d1 . This article points out that Russia’s previous pull-out was essentially ignored.
Alabama GOP resists US Supreme Court directive regarding second black majority congressional district: https://apnews.com/article/alabama-redistricting-voting-rights-act-3d7a5c9e85c8a11b20ae732cfe68cfd4 . To recap, a group of redistricting cases made it to the Court this term, and the Court resolved those cases by ordering Louisiana to create a second majority black district. If the Court had seen a difference in Alabama, they would have said so.
Presumably opponents will challenge the new map in a federal district court, and the Alabama GOP will lose based on the existing (very recent) precedent. I don’t see any reason why this case needs to go to the US Supreme Court again, so when the Alabama GOP appeals, the Supreme Court will refuse to take the case and let the loss stand.
Georgia Supreme Court refuses Orange Julius request to stop election prosecution: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/georgia-supreme-court-denies-trump-bid-derail-fulton-county-election-p-rcna94772 . The unanimous (9-0) ruling said, We don’t grant that type of relief. As stated here previously, the motion was completely illogical. And the court said as much. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/georgia-supreme-court-denies-trump-motion-to-block-election-interference-investigation-700d1719 .
Experts expect at least one criminal trial for Orange Julius before the GOP convention in 2024: https://www.aol.com/donald-trump-delay-trials-until-112250593.html . There is a part of this analysis that is more hope than analysis. The most likely criminal trial will come from Jack Smith, but Judge Aileen “Loose” Cannon may be an obstacle.
In my view, this increases the chances that we will see another indictment of OJ by Jack Smith soon. That could be the January 6 mega indictment or a second documents indictment in New Jersey. However, if Smith acts in order to obtain a speedier conviction, the mega indictment would need to be pared down, which is tough. The New Jersey action is properly filed there, but were I OJ’s lawyer (hah, never!), I would try to get the case consolidated with the Florida action in Florida, delaying both matters.
Next OJ hearing in documents case is on Tuesday: https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-judge-cannon-b4e51c8a2721cdf15d1b0cfaf02dcdd3 . Judge Cannon should accept the prosecution request for a December 11 trial and press the defense to meet it. Will she?
Orange Julius: “Incandescently stupid” border wall plan: https://www.rawstory.com/trumps-border-wall-2662290051/ . OJ is a moron. I just don’t understand why his supporters do not see this.
WSJ: Jack Teixeira wants pre-trial release on documents charges, just like OJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/guardsman-jack-teixeira-cites-trumps-treatment-in-seeking-release-in-leak-case-154d51f3 . Nice try, but no dice. The fundamental problem here is that OJ is a bad actor (in the legal sense) …
February trial for DC police lieutenant alleged to have tipped off Proud Boys about January 6 plans: https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4101668-trial-set-for-dc-police-lieutenant-accused-of-tipping-off-proud-boys/ . This guy is in major trouble. Prison appears likely in his future, not a safe place for a former police officer.
Adam Schiff dominates fundraising for US Senate seat in California: https://www.aol.com/news/adam-schiff-dominates-rivals-fundraising-110022895.html . As the article points out, the House censure of Schiff for leading Orange Julius’ impeachment has anointed him for the Senate that no one in the Democratic Party could have. His opponents are also accomplished House members, but with OJ still a threat to hold public office, Schiff is the right choice.
Paradoxically, then, success by Jack Smith in bringing OJ to justice could upend this race. Stay tuned. By the way, in the general election, can you imagine a debate between Adam Schiff and Steve Garvey? Garvey’s certainly an attractive and well-known figure, but he can’t compete with Schiff in a debate.