Originally published at: Russia Blames U.S. for Deadly Missile Strike; FDA Approves Gene Therapy Despite Failed Trial – Peak Prosperity
Residents from blue states are increasingly relocating to red states, driven by lower real estate prices and more favorable tax environments. Republican-leaning counties have gained 3.7 million people since 2020, while Democratic counties have seen an equivalent loss. High housing costs in states like California and New York are pushing people to more affordable areas such as Florida, Texas, and Arizona. This migration is causing tension among local residents concerned about rising home prices and strained infrastructure. Real estate experts note that red states attract blue-state residents due to lower taxes, fewer regulations, and pro-business environments. Some blue-state residents are investing in red-state properties while continuing to live and vote in their original states, leading to mixed reactions from locals. Despite concerns, the political impact of these migrants may be limited, as many new arrivals may lean conservative. However, in Rust Belt swing states, the impact could be more significant. Overall, the migration trend reflects a complex interplay of economic and political factors.
Russia has accused the U.S. of responsibility for a deadly missile strike on Sevastopol in Crimea, claiming U.S.-supplied missiles were used. The attack resulted in at least four deaths and over 150 injuries. Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that fragments from a U.S.-provided Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) rocket caused numerous civilian casualties. They asserted that American specialists, using U.S. satellite data, were responsible for the missile’s flight missions, thus holding Washington accountable alongside Kyiv. Following the attack, Russia summoned U.S. ambassador Lynne Tracy to emphasize Washington’s shared responsibility and promised retaliation. Sevastopol’s Moscow-installed governor reported that two children were among the dead and 151 people were injured, with over 80 hospitalized. The Russian foreign ministry labeled the attack as terrorism and called for condemnation by the United Nations. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities accused Russia of terrorism following deadly strikes on Kharkiv, which killed one person and injured 11, and another attack that killed three and injured 41, damaging civilian infrastructure and causing power outages.
The risk of nuclear war is currently at its highest since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, according to Harvard professor Matthew Bunn. Despite a shift in public focus towards issues like climate change and artificial intelligence, the threat of nuclear conflict remains significant. Bunn highlights the expiration of the New START Treaty in 2026, with no new negotiations in sight, and points to rising nuclear tensions globally, including Russia’s threats in the Ukraine conflict, China’s missile silo construction, North Korea’s missile tests, and nuclear rivalries involving India, Pakistan, and Iran. Professor Robert M. Dover from the University of Hull adds that reduced conventional forces shorten the escalation ladder, increasing the risk of nuclear conflict. The presence of over 12,000 nuclear weapons worldwide exacerbates this risk. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has warned of an impending catastrophe if major powers do not deescalate the situation in Ukraine. He emphasizes that both the West and Russia have too much at stake to afford a defeat, likening the situation to a game of chicken where neither side is willing to back down.
The FDA has expanded approval for the gene therapy Elevidys to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), despite it failing a Phase III clinical trial and facing objections from three FDA expert review teams and two directors. The decision, largely driven by Peter Marks, Director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, allows the therapy for all DMD patients regardless of age or ambulatory status. Marks justified the approval by emphasizing the urgent need for treatments and the potential benefits observed in secondary trial endpoints, despite the primary endpoint not showing statistically significant benefits. Critics argue that this decision undermines scientific rigor and could erode trust in the FDA. Internal FDA documents reveal significant dissent, with statisticians and clinical teams concluding that the trial data did not support the therapy’s effectiveness for the expanded indication.
The discussion on the future of energy highlights the limitations of current green transition strategies, particularly those relying on wind and solar power. Simon Michaux from the Geological Survey of Finland presents a critique, noting that the required raw materials for wind and solar energy far exceed available global resources. He proposes an alternative called the “purple transition,” which includes thorium molten salt reactors, combustion of iron powder, ammonia-fueled internal combustion engines, and novel battery chemistries using more abundant materials like sodium and fluoride. Michaux emphasizes the need for a decentralized energy system, reducing reliance on large-scale power grids and enabling localized energy production. This approach integrates various technologies symbiotically, ensuring a stable and resilient energy supply. The purple transition aims to create a sustainable and resource-efficient industrial system, addressing the limitations of current green technologies and providing a viable path forward.
The dynamics between paper and physical precious metals markets, focusing on silver and gold, reveal how prices are primarily set by paper markets like COMEX and LBMA. A key issue is “naked shorting,” where traders can sell futures contracts without owning the physical metals, leading to potential price manipulation. This manipulation has been substantiated by legal actions and fines, such as the $920M fine against J.P. Morgan. The article suggests that entities use naked shorts to suppress precious metals prices, viewing them as competing currencies to the US dollar. The situation intensified when the US froze and seized Russian assets following the Ukraine invasion, leading to increased demand for physical gold. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for better understanding and transparency in the precious metals markets, criticizing regulators for their inaction and secrecy.
Sources
Blue Exodus: Red States See Influx of Blue-State Homebuyers Amid Rising Real Estate Prices
“Property values are protected in well-governed, pro-growth, pro-business states that are tough on crime. Increasingly, those are red states,” he says.
Source | Submitted by Barbara
Russia Blames U.S. for ‘Barbaric’ Ukrainian Attack on Crimea, Summons Ambassador
Russia summoned the U.S. ambassador and vowed retaliation Monday after blaming Washington for a deadly strike on a strategic port in occupied Crimea, claiming U.S.-supplied missiles were used in the attack.
Source | Submitted by Mysterymet
Harvard Expert Warns: Nuclear War Risk Highest Since Cuban Missile Crisis
“Nuclear war may be closer than ever.”
Source | Submitted by Mysterymet
FDA Official Overrides Staff to Approve Controversial Gene Therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
“Peter Marks makes a mockery of scientific reasoning and approval standards that have served patients well over decades,” said Borio, who has also opposed earlier controversial approvals.
Source | Submitted by Shplad
Reimagining the Future: Simon Michaux’s Radical Energy Transition Plan
Simon’s whole point is that right now most of the conversations are about the green transition, and the green transition is structured mainly on the back of wind and solar.
Source | Submitted by Rusty(NOTliterally)
The Great Silver Heist: Unmasking Market Manipulation in Precious Metals
“The paper price manipulation has gone from conspiracy theory to fact with all the charges, subpoenas, and fines in the precious metals markets over the years.”
Source | Submitted by Gamma Geek