The Full Belmonte, 7/31/2023
Antibiotic resistance poses existential threat
“Antibiotics, either found in nature or developed intentionally, are designed to kill bacteria. But bacteria have been evolving for more than 3 billion years and have learned to change themselves to survive. The more we use antibiotics, the more the bacteria adapt. People who are resistant to antibiotics and other advocates want Congress to pass a bill called the Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions To End Up surging Resistance (or PASTEUR) Act, named for Louis Pasteur, the 19th-century Frenchman often considered the "father" of germ theory and modern microbiology. The bill was first introduced in 2020 and would create new incentives for drug companies to discover and develop antibiotics.” Read more at USA Today
Cystic fibrosis patient Melanie Lawrence, who testified before Congress recently in support of the PASTEUR Act, is resistant to nearly every antibiotic and has to hope her immune system can fight infection without much help from modern medicine.
Courtesy Melanie Lawrence
Judge Dismisses Trump’s $475 Million Defamation Suit Against CNN
The network’s statements were opinion, the ruling said, and did not support a claim of libel and slander.
July 30, 2023
“A federal judge has dismissed a $475 million defamation lawsuit that former President Donald J. Trump filed against CNN, ruling that all of the CNN statements that Mr. Trump cited were opinion and, therefore, Mr. Trump could not sue for defamation.
The suit, which the former president filed in October in U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., alleged a ‘campaign of dissuasion in the form of libel and slander’ that, Mr. Trump asserted, had escalated ‘as CNN fears the plaintiff will run for president in 2024.’ The lawsuit said that the network’s use of the phrase ‘the big lie’ in reference to Mr. Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election was tantamount to comparing him to Adolf Hitler and Nazism.
Judge Raag Singhal, who was nominated to the District Court by Mr. Trump in 2019, stated in dismissing the suit late Friday night that CNN’s use of the phrase in connection with Mr. Trump’s election challenges ‘does not give rise to a plausible inference that Trump advocates the persecution and genocide of Jews or any other group of people.’
The judge added: ‘The Court finds Nazi references in the political discourse (made by whichever ‘side’) to be odious and repugnant. But bad rhetoric is not defamation when it does not include false statements of fact.’….” [New York Times]
NEW POLL: Trump looks hard to beat
GOP presidential candidates. Composite photo: AP
“Former President Trump crushes his GOP rivals — leading DeSantis by a landslide 37 points nationally among likely primary voters — in the first N.Y. Times/Siena College poll of the 2024 campaign.
Trump gets 54% ... DeSantis has 17% ... everyone else is 3% or less.
Reality check: ‘In the half century of modern presidential primaries, no candidate who led his or her nearest rival by at least 20 points at this stage has ever lost a party nomination,’ Times chief political analyst Nate Cohn writes in his newsletter, The Tilt.
In the new poll, Trump's lead over DeSantis is nearly twice as large.
Though ‘it might be a mistake to call Mr. Trump 'inevitable,’ Cohn adds, ‘the Times/Siena data suggests that he commands a seemingly unshakable base of loyal supporters, representing more than one-third of the Republican electorate.’” [Axios]
Trump opens legal fund
From the Trump superseding indictment released Thursday night. Photo: Jon Elswick/AP
“President Trump created a legal defense fund, the Patriot Legal Defense Fund Inc., to help pay the bills of associates who face charges or questioning by prosecutors.
A statement to Axios from Trump's campaign blames the "weaponized Department of Justice," and says the fund aims to "protect these innocent people from financial ruin."
Why it matters: Trump's PAC, Save America, spent more than $40 million on legal costs in the first half of 2023 to defend Trump and his associates.
‘The creation of the legal-defense fund could ease some of the financial pressure on Save America, which was severe enough that it requested a refund of the $60 million it had transferred to a pro-Trump super PAC late last year,’ the N.Y. Times' Maggie Haberman and Shane Goldmacher report.
A statement by DeSantis communications director Andrew Romeo said:
"Trump has spent over $60 million this year on two things: falsely attacking Ron DeSantis and paying his own legal fees."
Go deeper: Six threads in the Fulton County, Ga., probe of efforts by Trump and allies to overturn the 2020 election. District Attorney Fani Willis is expected to seek a grand jury indictment in coming weeks.” [Axios]
© The Associated Press / Sue Ogrocki | Former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Erie, Pa. on Saturday.
Two faces of Trump’s sway
“Former President Trump’s aides and former advisers have described their time in his orbit as either the best of times, or the worst.
Facing serious criminal charges, those differing perspectives are in stark relief.
As The New York Times reports, Trump has a reputation for plucking subordinates from estimable careers, trouble or obscurity and offering the benefits of influence, advancement or power — and, by extension, a sense of obligation to him. He measures relationships in terms of leverage and stews over those who are loyal, or not. Those opportunities and obligations sometimes come with a cost, as Trump’s personal valet, Walt Nauta, as well as a Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira discovered as they face Justice Department charges in the ongoing classified documents case.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing and accuses the government of election interference amid his bid to return to the White House in 2025. De Oliveira, who faces four charges, is scheduled to be arraigned today in Miami (The Washington Post).
The former president’s current political team is creating a legal defense fund to take on some of the bills faced by accused co-conspirators and others, to be paid out of the Save America PAC that supports Trump’s campaign, according to the Times.
Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, who went to prison for actions he took to help his former boss, advised Nauta and De Oliveira, both of whom are now in Justice’s crosshairs with Trump, to ‘run’ (The Hill).
‘He’s not going to pay for the attorney,’ Cohen said last week during a CNN interview. ‘You may have just seen that with the settlement that I just was engaged in. He’s not going to pay for it unless you stay on message. And if you stay on message, you will end up behind bars. There’s no doubt about it.’
NBC News reached out to 44 of the dozens of people who served in Trump's Cabinet over his four years in office to gauge their outlook on the 2024 GOP White House race. Most declined to comment or ignored the requests for comment. A total of four have said publicly they support Trump’s bid for reelection. One is Mark Meadows, a former North Carolina congressman who was Trump’s final White House chief of staff. Several have been coy about where they stand, stopping short of endorsing the former president and others actively oppose his bid for the GOP nomination (one example is former Attorney General William Barr) or are adamant that they don't want him back in power.
The pending criminal charges against Trump put a spotlight on the government’s efforts to present evidence of ‘consciousness of guilt,’ according to legal experts who suggest such evidence could influence a jury about Trump’s state of mind (The Hill). The government alleges that Trump was personally involved in directing deletion of Mar-a-Lago security footage one day after prosecutors flagged plans to subpoena security camera video on the estate tied to White House records taken to Florida.
On the flip side of Trump’s legal entanglements is the political influence Republicans believe the former president adds to Senate primaries using the reach of his megaphone (The Hill and The Associated Press). The former president on Saturday publicly pressed House Republicans to help punish his political foes, including President Biden (The Associated Press).
2024 roundup: A high-profile Alabama redistricting case is headed back to court. Voting rights advocates on Friday accused state Republicans of flouting a judicial mandate to create a second majority-Black district and enacting a map that continues to discriminate against Black voters in the state (The Associated Press). …The White House has taken direct and unabashed aim at House Republicans and the GOP as Biden leans into his reelection narrative (The Hill). … In the GOP presidential primary, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy is emerging as a breakout star. Where will the contest take him? (The Hill). … Republican Gov. Doug Burgumdefended his presidential campaign’s gift-card giveaway fundraising technique during a Fox News Sunday interview. The strategy attracted media attention and helped the candidate secure a spot in the upcoming first GOP debate (Politico). … High-school boys have been trending more conservative than liberal in their views (The Hill).” [The Hill]
Climate
“Extreme heat has cost the U.S. economy billions in lost productivity as it has made it harder for people like delivery drivers to do their jobs.” [New York Times]
“Temperatures have been at least 110 degrees in Phoenix for 31 straight days. Patients with heat stroke and asphalt burns are filling hospitals.” [New York Times]
Clouds surround downtown Phoenix at sunset, Sunday, July 30, 2023. Phoenix hit its 31st consecutive day of at least 110 degrees Fahrenheit, (43.3 Celsius).
Matt York, AP
“German shepherds on their way to police training in Indiana died in the heat after an air-conditioning unit failed.” [New York Times]
Judge blocks Arkansas law allowing librarians to be criminally charged over ‘harmful’ materials
“LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas is temporarily blocked from enforcing a law that would have allowed criminal charges against librarians and booksellers for providing “harmful” materials to minors, a federal judge ruled Saturday.
U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks issued a preliminary injunction against the law, which also would have created a new process to challenge library materials and request that they be relocated to areas not accessible by kids. The measure, signed by Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders earlier this year, was set to take effect Aug. 1.
A coalition that included the Central Arkansas Library System in Little Rock had challenged the law, saying fear of prosecution under the measure could prompt libraries and booksellers to no longer carry titles that could be challenged….” Read more at AP News
Bomb tears through political rally in Pakistan
“Pakistan is holding funerals for victims of a massive suicide bombing that targeted a rally of a pro-Taliban cleric over the weekend. Sunday's attack killed at least 45 people and wounded nearly 200. No one has claimed responsibility for the bombing, though police said their initial investigation suggests the Islamic State group’s regional affiliate could be behind the attack. The victims were all from the Jamiat Ulema Islam party, which is headed by hard-line cleric and politician Fazlur Rehman.” Read more at USA Today
Relatives and mourners gather around the caskets of victims who were killed in Sunday's suicide bomber attack in the Bajur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, Monday, July 31, 2023.
Mohammad Sajjad, AP
“It seemed like the dawn of a new era when then-President Donald Trump unveiled the Abraham Accords at a White House ceremony in September 2020 to normalize ties between Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Israel.
Trump’s successor, Joe Biden, set a goal of extending the rapprochement to the region’s main power, Saudi Arabia, custodian of Islam’s two holiest sites.
But fast forward three years, and the hardline policies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s religious-leaning government toward the Palestinians have stoked increasing tensions with the two Gulf states and Morocco, which also recognized Israel that same year.
That’s dampened hopes of a deal with Riyadh, which instead restored relations with Israel’s arch-rival Iran under an agreement brokered by China.
The recent deadly raid on a West Bank refugee camp in the city of Jenin that Israeli officials said was needed to flush out militants is the latest incident to inflame Arab public opinion, exposing the UAE and Bahrain to a backlash for their recognition of Israel.
Netanyahu, who’s yet to secure an invitation to the White House since being reelected amid criticism of his campaign to weaken Israel’s judiciary, has also not been able to visit the UAE, though he’ll probably attend the COP28 climate conference later this year in Dubai.
Yet trade ties between the UAE and Israel are still expanding, from a few tens of millions of dollars before 2020 to a predicted $3 billion this year. And more than a million Israelis have visited the UAE since the two countries established ties — though few Emiratis have traveled the other way.
For its part, Saudi Arabia is putting forward strict conditions for a pact with Israel, including defense guarantees from the US, access to top-notch American weaponry and a green light for its nuclear program including domestic uranium enrichment.
For now, Washington’s dream of orchestrating a region-wide detente looks more distant than ever.” —Henry Meyer [Bloomberg]
Residents survey the debris of a destroyed building following Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on May 11. Photographer: Ahmad Salem/Bloomberg
“China’s much anticipated post-pandemic recovery appears to have flopped, with signs of a significant slowdown after decades of supercharged growth and data flashing warning signs. Watch the Bloomberg Originals mini-documentary China’s Great Slowdown to see the reality behind promises by President Xi Jinping and other top Communist Party leaders to revive the world’s second-largest economy.
Beijing’s efforts to spur the economy have stopped short of major monetary or fiscal stimulus, like cash subsidies to consumers to spend more or a ramping up of construction spending like it did in previous downturns.” [Bloomberg]
Click to watch. Source: Bloomberg
“The Rhine River has been a major trade route since ancient times, allowing for the transport of cargo from the shores of Switzerland through Germany, France and the Netherlands to the North Sea. But with shipping now regularly impeded by low water levels, companies like chemicals giant BASF that have developed along its banks are rushing to adapt, underscoring how the climate crisis is upending even advanced economies.” [Bloomberg]
“Ukraine said at least two people died and 20 were hurt in a Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s home city. Russia also hit Kharkiv and Kherson overnight as heavy battles were reported in numerous locations along the front line. Ukraine will open talks with the US next week on a bilateral security guarantee, Zelenskiy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said.” [Bloomberg]
“West Africa’s regional economic bloc threatened a military intervention to remove the leader of a coup in Niger unless the junta reinstates the nation’s democratically elected president. The warning by the Economic Community of West African States came after thousands of people rallied in the capital, Niamey, yesterday in support of the junta and staged a protest at the French Embassy in the city. France, the former colonial power, said it will retaliate if any of its citizens are attacked.” [Bloomberg]
“Denmark will investigate if it can find legal grounds to block public burnings of the Koran as the Nordic country tries to defuse escalating tensions with Muslim nations.” [Bloomberg]
“Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s Socialist Party will ask the national electoral board today to review over 30,000 votes declared void in the Madrid region, after it lost a prized parliament seat.” [Bloomberg]
“The son of Colombian President Gustavo Petro was arrested on Saturday on accusations of money laundering and illicit gain, the nation’s attorney general said.” [Bloomberg]
The Hebe Haven Yacht Club in Hong Kong in 2022. Photographer: Bertha Wang/AFP/Getty Images
“A recent military takeover in Niger has completed a coup belt in Africa — a line of six countries in turmoil. West African leaders threatened military action unless Niger’s coup is undone.” [New York Times]
“The military in Myanmar is escalating its brutal assault against civilians, a Times visual investigation found.” [New York Times]
“Scientists revived roundworms that spent roughly 46,000 years in Siberian permafrost.” [New York Times]
Billion-dollar "Barbenheimer"
Data: Box Office Mojo. (Note: Totals not adjusted for inflation.) Chart: Axios Visuals
“The rare two-film juggernaut of "Barbie" + "Oppenheimer" surged past $1 billion in worldwide ticket sales — a touchstone cultural moment.
"Barbie" earned $93 million in North American theaters this weekend, marking one of the most successful second-weekend performances for any movie in history, Axios media trends expert Sara Fischer reports.
Why it matters: The continued momentum is giving theaters a lifeline as they stare down possible strike-inducted movie delays this fall.
State of play: Movie studios are already starting to consider delaying top films.
Sony said it'll delay the Aug. 11 premiere of its racing video-game adaption, "Gran Turismo," to Aug. 25, due to strikes. Sony made a slew of changes to its upcoming movie release schedule, including taking its next major Spider-Man installation off its spring 2024 calendar.
Disney is reportedly considering similar measures.
By the numbers: "Barbie" has earned nearly $775 million globally, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year.
"Oppenheimer" took the second spot on the global box office charts this past weekend, passing $400 million in gross sales.
What to watch: "Barbie" has triggered a push for more toy-inspired movies from Mattel, which manufactures Barbie dolls.
Mattel has 45 films in development based on its toys — including Polly Pocket, Hot Wheels and Thomas & Friends.” [Axios]
A bear sits in a jacuzzi in Burbank, California. (Burbank Police Department via AP)
“Bear spotted in Southern California backyard Jacuzzi beating the heat
Police in the city of Burbank responded to a report of a bear sighting in a residential neighborhood only to find the animal lounging in a Jacuzzi.” [AP News]
”Lives Lived: Hugh Carter Jr. helped run his cousin Jimmy Carter’s presidential campaign. As an aide, he helped trim the White House budget and was called “Cousin Cheap.” He died at 80.” [New York Times]