US adults ignoring COVID booster: https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2022-09-30/two-thirds-of-u-s-adults-dont-plan-on-getting-covid-boosters-soon-poll . The signs of improper use of protection are everywhere. Here is a prime example: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/fla-reporter-uses-surprising-tool-to-protect-her-mic-during-hurricane-ian-coverage-yes-that-is-a-condom-200705379.html .
WSJ: ALS drug priced at $12,500 per month: https://www.wsj.com/articles/amylyxs-als-drug-is-approved-by-the-fda-11664484362 . This confirms the price reported by NBC yesterday.
More on Medicare premiums and costs for 2023: https://money.yahoo.com/medicare-premiums-cheaper-174613059.html .
WSJ: Indonesia approves Chinese mRNA vaccine: https://www.wsj.com/articles/indonesia-approves-chinese-mrna-vaccine-11664535869 .
Cholera exploding worldwide: https://www.aol.com/news/cholera-outbreaks-surging-worldwide-fatality-104405790-132632286.html . Catastrophic flooding contributes to this problem. As the world has increased its vaccine production capacity, hopefully more cholera vaccine can be manufactured and distributed soon.
Adjustments to student loan forgiveness program: https://www.today.com/news/student-loan-forgiveness-plan-changes-biden-rcna50147 . And of course, these changes may be meaningless if court challenges against this executive action succeed: https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-lawsuits-covid-missouri-862d783188de45b698c54b00820d3616 .
Serious US inflation continues: https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/30/economy/august-pce-inflation-report . There are no reasons for the Fed to step off the gas pedal on interest rate increases right now. More: https://www.investing.com/news/economic-indicators/us-core-pce-inflation-beats-expectations-again-in-august-2902910 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/underlying-inflation-gained-steam-in-august-11664552689 . As the Journal article notes, inflation in this area is slow to reverse. Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/feds-brainard-warns-on-inflation-financial-stability-risks-11664542846 .
WSJ: Energy crunch fuels European inflation: https://www.wsj.com/articles/eurozone-inflation-hits-10-as-power-suppliers-scramble-for-reserves-11664530507 .
WSJ: Russia annexes eastern portions of Ukraine: https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-prepares-treaties-to-annex-ukrainian-land-11664536196 . While this was reported here yesterday, it is worth repeating that this is a serious escalation of the war. Putin appears to be gambling everything on victory, even as Ukraine reclaims more and more of the captured ground.
US imposes new sanctions on Russia: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-unveils-new-sanctions-against-russia-in-response-to-annexation-in-ukraine-143046384.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-dismisses-annexation-of-ukraine-regions-and-imposes-sanctions-on-russian-elites-11664563307 . The sanctions certainly have not ended the war. However, they have had major consequences. Russia, by its own actions, is now an international pariah. Western businesses have left en masse. Perhaps most importantly, Russia has lost access to advanced technology, which cripples its war effort in general and its ability to resupply in particular.
It is remarkable that Putin’s reserve call-up has caused (at least) 300,000 young men to flee Russia, a group the size of the Russian army. You would think the people who left were those who felt they were likely to be called, which means the remaining pool of conscripts is that much weaker. These departures also cannot be helping the Russian economy. And the call-up is unlikely to change the course of the war. This still feels like the end times for Putin’s regime.
Has Lyman fallen?: https://www.thedailybeast.com/putin-suffers-most-humiliating-ukraine-defeat-yet-around-key-city-of-lyman-in-donetsk . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/russian-attack-kills-dozens-of-civilians-in-ukraine-hours-before-planned-annexations-11664531345 . If so, the loss of this resupply hub will force thousands of Russian soldiers to run for the border with Russia or surrender. Their weaponry will likely fall into Ukrainian hands. The speed of the Ukrainian advance may actually save lives on both sides. More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/a-russian-regiment-currently-surrounded-in-eastern-ukraine-has-a-tragic-history-of-defeat/ar-AA12syiP?cvid=63d905b7df1842deba1b2f896bea9a82 .
Hurricane Ian makes landfall just north of Charleston, SC: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/hurricane-ian-makes-landfall-south-183019358.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/hurricane-ian-threatens-south-carolina-after-battering-florida-11664530772 . Note that the Florida death toll has risen from 9 to 21.
WSJ: Cuba requests US aid to address Hurricane Ian’s damage: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cuba-makes-rare-request-for-u-s-aid-after-devastation-from-hurricane-ian-11664581112 .
Sanibel Island crushed by Hurricane Ian: https://www.today.com/news/sanibel-florida-city-official-says-damage-biblical-island-now-cut-main-rcna50149 . This is one of my favorite places in Florida. There’s a wonderful national wildlife refuge there where I used to go to hike and photograph: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/jn-ding-darling . Sad, sad stuff.
Property insurers clobbered by Hurricane Ian: https://www.aol.com/finance/insurers-brace-hit-floridas-costliest-120339135-182213253.html . Hurricane Ian will cost more than any hurricane to hit Florida in 30 years. As global warming causes formerly 500-year weather events to occur with much greater frequency, property insurance is an increasingly problematic business.
Orange Julius’ attorney makes a risky move: https://www.aol.com/news/investigators-trumps-york-probe-want-080211987.html . We know that the basic OJ playbook is to seek delay and a more favorable forum. The attorney’s filing suggests both of those motives. Aside from a compelling jurisdictional reason, the case should stay with the judge now overseeing it. The AG’s request for a trial date before the end of 2023 seems generous. The first half of next year seems preferable.
DOJ asks for accelerated filing deadline in special master case: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/u-s-justice-dept-seeks-expedited-ruling-in-trump-special-master-case/ar-AA12szeX?cvid=2e375c535cfb48e1836c445720d18a14 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/doj-asks-to-fast-track-appeal-in-mar-a-lago-case-11664588313 . In context, the 11th Circuit has already slapped down Judge Cannon once. It’s unclear what they’ll do with this request. However, DOJ likely believes this request will succeed.
WSJ: United pulls out of JFK – again: https://www.wsj.com/articles/united-airlines-to-suspend-operations-at-jfk-at-end-of-october-11664568747 . I would agree that their original departure was a major mistake.
Tua Tagovailoa: Concussion protocols and the fencing response: https://apnews.com/article/tua-tagovailoa-fencing-response-de6a1e5d95a5ab869e043369cb6546c3 . This absolutely looks like an appalling violation of the concussion protocols. Some heads must roll to save players from being treated like horsemeat. This situation will likely cause even more young men to not go forward with a football career. Until they are respected, that is a wise health decision.