US COVID infections currently rising: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-rates-rising-summer-780ab1d7 . At least the author realizes that COVID so far has not followed a seasonal pattern. As we have previously noted, that pattern could emerge in the future, but so far it has not.
Michigan bans LGBTQ conversion therapy: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/michigan-bans-conversion-therapy-for-lgbt-children-aa98bbfc .
WSJ: Humira still controls arthritis market: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-abbvies-humira-still-reigns-despite-new-competition-d4aa13a9 . This financial analysis is just bizarre. As the last paragraph of the article says, Humira is clearly on a steep downward trajectory. Okay, then what is the point of the rest of the article?
US economy growing faster than expected: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/gdp-us-economy-grows-at-a-faster-pace-than-expected-in-q2-124533676.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/us-gdp-report-economic-growth-92482437 . First of all, the recession risk is not over. Second, this increases the likelihood of another Fed rate hike in its next two meetings. We seem to be in some sort of Goldilocks mode right now, where the US economy and the dollar are strong, while the rest of the world fights contraction. At some point, the bears will come home. WSJ: A contrary view: https://www.wsj.com/articles/recession-odds-just-got-longer-7733970 . More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/could-a-recession-still-be-years-away-soft-landing-could-deliver-another-extended-economic-cycle-e7e2c4ee .
WSJ: Senate passes bipartisan defense bill: https://www.wsj.com/articles/senate-passes-ndaa-defense-bill-abortion-transgender-fight-8d1dc7ae . The House GOP now stands alone. Will they choose to fund the military, or continue the culture wars?
Is China near collapse as a country?: https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/07/33420552/china-has-10-years-left-at-most-100-million-population-drop-could-lead-to-economic-disaster-accordin . I really have no idea why anyone would make this type of statement. It is true that China’s population is rapidly aging and that its population will see substantial declines over the next 10 years. However, Japan is in a similar situation which it is attempting to address through selective immigration. China is likely to have some rough economic times ahead, as we regularly report. However, collapse of the country is an exceedingly unlikely outcome.
Record China youth unemployment: https://www.scmp.com/economy/economic-indicators/article/3228848/china-jobs-gen-z-graduates-turn-cleaning-beijing-looks-domestic-services-mop-unemployed-youth . This is a major economic bump. It is not the end of the country.
WSJ: Military coup in Niger: https://www.wsj.com/articles/apparent-coup-attempt-hits-u-s-ally-niger-e3efa36d . Niger is a major drone base for the US. This endangers our fight against terrorist elements through drone strikes. More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/niger-coup-upends-u-s-security-plans-in-west-africa-handing-russia-an-opportunity-8dcf6679 .
Ukrainian counteroffensive intensifies in earnest: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-counteroffensive-major-push-12334bbee83b608221dafced4727369e . Both sides are reporting this, and it is time for Ukraine to try. It is no surprise that Zaporizhzhia is a target because of the world’s desire to take that nuclear plant out of Russian control. Melitopol is also a logical choice for Ukraine’s attempt to cut off Russia’s land bridge to Crimea.
More on McConnell’s health problems: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mcconnell-fell-recently-dc-airport-prior-wednesdays-freeze-rcna96568 . This raises the possibility that McConnell might step away from his duties as Minority Leader in the next year or two. The Senate Republicans seem to lack much bench strength to replace McConnell. Cornyn is a potential replacement, but he’s no McConnell.
Orange Julius lawyers meet with special prosecutor’s team: https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-investigation-indictment-730455c2b7a684593e41362e4b661cb3 . This is a powerful indication that indictment on the attempt to overturn the election results is imminent. The indictment will occur in DC. Meanwhile, the special prosecutor cleans up some details in the Florida indictment: https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-justice-department-special-counsel-2025feb3f0f4e3820d14387c67ce4316 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-lawyers-jack-smith-jan-6-58c2fd14 . When will the Journal admit that we are seeing DOJ grind OJ to a pulp, squeeze by squeeze? It’s on videotape, you nitwits!
Ron DeMentis goes full Nut World: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/ron-desantis-suggests-rfk-jr-role-fda-cdc-rcna96546 . DeMentis might have a PAC with millions in the bank, but his campaign falls further away from reality. Ron is praying for the OJ DC indictment discussed above. I wonder when that trial will be scheduled? It does not involve the timing issues associated with the classified documents trial. The DC matter is likely to be a sensational trial. It also seems likely to attract some level of violent protest. However, any violent protestors are likely to go to jail for a very long time.
Search of the Long Island Serial murder suspect’s house: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gilgo-beach-murders-suspect-more-women-coming-forward-rex-heuermann/ . From prior reports, given that Heuermann’s family was usually if not always out of town when the murders were committed, it is reasonable to assume that he would have taken some or all of these women to his residence. The house was searched for DNA evidence (strands of hair) that might confirm that. Pursuing these other women is another way of finding out if Heuermann asked or took them to his residence, and of identifying other DNA which might be present there.
WSJ: DOJ opens civil rights investigation into Memphis police department: https://www.wsj.com/articles/justice-department-opens-broad-probe-into-memphis-police-department-7240f9d1 .
Collapse of the Atlantic Ocean current: https://news.yahoo.com/what-happens-if-climate-change-causes-the-atlantic-ocean-current-to-collapse-221433345.html . Note that current collapse could come as soon as 2025 in this study, and the consequence could be another Ice Age. My guess is that collapse of this system would severely disrupt sea life in the Atlantic, potentially affecting fisheries and other human food stocks.
Danish scientist disputes current origin of life theory: https://news.yahoo.com/scientists-textbooks-wrong-origin-life-205622856.html . In short, the analysis of ancient rocks indicates there was no a growing abundance of oxygen at the time multi-cellular life exploded on Earth. He argues there was a slight decline in oxygen levels at that time, which might have stabilized the environment for cellular development.
California recycling fraud: https://www.aol.com/8-family-members-charged-7-132343578.html . What is apparently being discussed here is that beverages are sold nationwide showing the California 10 cent return policy. The $8 million dollar sum suggests at least 80 million cans were run through this program. To get that volume of cans, the legal pursuit of recycling centers must involve Arizona recycling centers that were selling uncrushed cans to the family. Kickbacks were likely involved.
WSJ: The Wall Street Journal, making irrelevance an art form: https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-america-can-still-learn-from-calvin-coolidge-606e16c9 . For heaven’s sake, 99% of America doesn’t know who Calvin Coolidge is, and doesn’t care. Also note that the author, previously a Pittsburgh newspaper editor, now teaches in Canada. The guy chose a career in newspapers, in Pittsburgh. This is not someone I’m likely to take advice from.
Don’t look to the Journal for financial news: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-engines-on-hundreds-of-airbus-jets-recalled-for-inspection-ab206106 . On Monday, Pratt & Whitney’s parent, Raytheon, closed at $97.20. This news broke after the market close. On Tuesday, RTX closed down over 10%, at $86.99. It dropped almost another full percentage point Wednesday, to $86.29, and over another percentage point on Wednesday to $85.17. The Journal filed this story at 11:12 pm ET on Wednesday. Where has the Journal been here?
WSJ: Scientists reanimate nematodes frozen 46,000 years ago: https://www.wsj.com/articles/its-alive-worms-revived-after-46-000-years-in-siberian-permafrost-96ea3922 . As global warming accelerates, we’re reanimating all sorts of ancient microscopic life forms. This may not be a good thing.
Women’s World Cup: The media gets this EXACTLY right: https://sports.yahoo.com/uswnt-lindsey-horan-mad-netherlands-danielle-van-de-donk-071524848.html . For those of you who watched this live, as I did, this media report is a perfect description of what appeared to happen, and here are a couple of reinforcing details. I agree with both women that the referee’s intervention was unusually long and did not seem to help. However, when Julie Ertz stepped in, Horan immediately calmed down and nodded in agreement. It makes total sense that Ertz told her to avoid a yellow card and “just score”.
The play run off the corner kick was obviously a set piece for Horan, and she delivered her header brilliantly on a well-placed ball. It is an excellent addition to the story that the Dutch defender, Horan’s teammate at Lyon, commented that that play was the way Horan plays, and that the two took a smiling selfie in the tunnel after the game.