Bits n’ pieces from east, west and beyond
East, west or beyond, sooner or later events elsewhere may have a local impact.
A recent sampling:
CBS: Israel is on trial at the U.N. International Court of Justice. South Africa accused the nation of genocide in the Gaza Strip and is asking for an immediate halt to Israel’s military operations.
The Education Dept. will fast-track student loan forgiveness for smaller loans of less than $21,000, various media reported. One requirement: a borrower has been actively repaying their loan. The Biden Administration is targeting $623 million, drawn from the bipartisan infrastructure law, for creating 7,500 more charging systems for electric vehicles (over 1 million were sold last year). Currently the U.S. has 170,000 chargers. The Guardian said the EPA has announced $1 billion for grants to replace diesel-powered schools buses with electric and lower-emitting vehicles.
Some 17,000 people in six countries died from taking hydroxychloroquine in an attempt to overcome Covid infection, French researchers said in Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy. The drug is intended to fight malaria.
As president, Donald Trump said, “What do you have to lose? Take it.” Covid cases have risen. Free Covid tests can be ordered at https://special.usps.com.testkits.
The U.K., Canada, Australia, Bahrain and the Netherlands have joined the U.S. in strikes against targets in Yemen where Houthi rebels have been attacking dozens of merchant vessels in the Red Sea. Initially the Houthis launched missiles and drones at Israel. Those were shot down so they began attacks on ships transporting grains, oil and liquified natural gas.
Some media speculate that the Houthis are seeking power and more adherents to their ideologies. They are backed by Iran, as are Hamas and Hezbollah. A statement also signed by Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Japan, Singapore, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea said the goal is to “de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea,” including defense of lives and free-flow of commerce.
The U.S. Secretary of State has met with leaders in the Middle East. The stated goal for those he met with is to foster conditions for peace and create steps culminating in “peace and security” for a Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel.
Modernization at the IRS, courtesy of the Inflation Reduction Act, has resulted in the agency collecting close to half a billion dollars in overdue taxes from delinquent millionaires, ABC reported. Congressional Republicans want to shave more off IRS funds that enable them to collect those taxes.
Car insurance rates have taken their biggest jump since 1976, according to the Consumer Price Index. Prices are particularly high in states now experiencing more extreme weather, but insurers say weather is a less significant factor, and point to federal stats showing “riskier driving behavior.” To explore further, Google “is there a way to appeal a rise in one’s car insurance rate?”
Using the actual words of Hitler, Trump recently claimed that undocumented immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our country,” and promised that if elected president he would use the military to put undocumented immigrants into “camps.”
Problems with Trump’s claims: the Cato Institute says 86% of those convicted of trafficking fentanyl over the border in 2021 were U.S. citizens. A 2020 study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows undocumented immigrants have “substantially” lower crime rates (engaging in crime can get them deported).
Regarding claims that undocumented immigrants are taking American jobs: that’s contrary to unemployment rates, which have been below 4% for two years, (the long-term average of 5.71%). Since 2022 the U.S. homicide rate has fallen over 12%. Biden opponents say he doesn’t want to stop illegal immigration, but they have blocked Biden’s requests for border funding.
Over 60% of Americans don’t think Trump should be immune from prosecution for actions he took while president, according to a CBS poll. Most Republicans agree with immunity for Trump. At his civil trial last week in New York, over allegations of falsely portraying his wealth to gain better loan terms (saving him $168 million), Trump was barred from delivering an irrelevant closing statement, but did so anyway, the AP said. A judge will decide the case, since neither the state nor Trump requested otherwise.
The judge’s verdict is likely to occur by the end of the month. On the line: Trump could be barred from business in New York State and pay damages of up to $370 million.
ABC: In another recent Trump court case, he was ordered to pay $392,800 for legal fees from a 2021 lawsuit he brought against The New York Times. The paper had reported his tax records. In a recent Lindell TV interview Trump said he thinks the economy will crash and he wants it to happen soon, rather than when he expects to take office.
Fortune noted that the U.S. economy shows jobs and consumer spending to be better than has been expected.
Blast from the past: “As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression…we must be aware of change in the air, however slight, lest we become unwitting victims of darkness.” William O. Douglas, 1898-1980; U.S. Supreme Court Justice.