A weird battle where Kain Hace comes in handy (21 mana, Explosive Weaponry and Stampede rule sets, only Death splinter available).

Cryptocurrency, Investing, Money, Economy, Business, and Debt:

U.S. Moves to Bar Noncompete Agreements

In a far-reaching move that could raise wages and increase competition among businesses, the Federal Trade Commission on Thursday unveiled a rule that would block companies from limiting their employees’ ability to work for a rival.
The proposed rule would ban provisions of labor contracts known as noncompete agreements, which prevent workers from leaving for a competitor or starting a competing business for months or years after their employment, often within a certain geographic area. The agreements have applied to workers as varied as sandwich makers, hair stylists, doctors and software engineers.

Huobi Exchange Token Down 11% on Reports of Layoffs, Internal Strife at Company

Coronavirus News, Analysis, and Opinion:

Long COVID stemmed from mild cases of COVID-19 in most people, according to a new multicountry study

Politics:

It’s Not About Kevin

At some point, the House will name a speaker. Maybe today. Maybe over the weekend. Maybe next week. Maybe two weeks from now.
That speaker might be Kevin McCarthy. Or Steve Scalise. Or someone else. At that point, a bunch of people will say, ‘Phew. We got it done. Let’s move on.'
And here is the essential, foundational problem: This fight over the speaker’s gavel is exactly what every important vote in the House over the next two years is going to look like. The speaker’s fight is the debt ceiling fight is the budget fight is the Ukraine aid fight.
Meaning: One half of the federal legislature will be mostly non-functional for the next two years.

Speaker delay halts national security briefings for lawmakers

“I’m informed by House security that technically, I don’t have a clearance. I’m a member of the Intel Committee. I’m on the Armed Services Committee…”

Um, no. You were a member of both in the 117th Congress. Without a Speaker, nobody is a member of any House committee so far in the 118th.

Biden to Honor 12 on Anniversary of January 6

President Joe Biden on Friday plans to mark the two-year anniversary of the January 6, 2021, insurrection by awarding for the first time in his presidency the Presidential Citizens Medal to 12 people.
The individuals include law enforcement officers who were injured defending the Capitol, a Capitol Police officer who died the day after rioters stormed the building and election workers who rejected efforts by former President Donald Trump to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

This should do it pic.twitter.com/YrheSmDVcC

— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) January 5, 2023

Odd factoid: adjusted for inflation, members of the US. Congress made more per year in 1969 than they do now. Of course, the real money they make is from lobbying and such after they leave office “to spend more time with their families.”

The GOP’s institutionalized anarchy

Regardless of who is elected speaker, House Republicans have systematically gutted the power of their leaders — and institutionalized de facto anarchy.
Long gone are the days of rank-and-file members pining for money, endorsements or committee assignments from their top leaders. Now, it’s the rank-and-file lawmakers — and outside allies juiced by social media — holding the real power.
Kevin McCarthy’s desperate scramble to win the speakership has made things a lot worse for any future leader — thanks to a series of concessions he privately knows are anathema to sane governance.

Who did this? pic.twitter.com/M5K7zqOeCY

— Mueller, She Wrote (@MuellerSheWrote) January 4, 2023

South Carolina Supreme Court rules abortion protected under state constitution

Serendipity:

Foams used in car seats and mattresses are hard to recycle – we made a plant-based version that avoids polyurethane’s health risks, too

^{Badge thanks to @arcange}

^{Join Hive using my referral link}