Antigua & Barbuda, European Union Lead Claims for Compensation Against U.S. --  The United States’ attempt to unilaterally withdraw from its World Trade Organization commitments continues to draw opposition from other aggrieved countries.  The European Union, representing a block of 27 mostly European nations, was the first to file an official claim for compensation against the U.S., while Antigua & Barbuda, the winner in the original case, filed its case soon after and was the first to include a claim amount: $3.44 billion on an annual basis.  Antigua & Barbuda also filed a WTO motion to have protections for U.S.-based intellectual property removed, a tiny shot over the U.S.’s bow that does seem to have attracted Washington’s attention.  However, five more countries -- Costa Rica, Canada, India, Australia, and Chinese Macau -- also filed claims against the U.S., with other countries such as Japan listed as interested parties.  The U.S. continues to back itself into a corner in this ongoing trade war, and is expected to file yet another appeal and motion for arbitration to buy itself four more months.

Repeat Vinny Vinh Disappearance Solved --  In the words of Herman’s Hermits song "Henry the Eighth," it's second verse, same as the first.  Vinh’s no-show act for a Day Two at the WSOP (the second such occurrence of the series by Vinh) appears to have been for the same reason as the first... and with the same resolution.  Reliable reports have Vinh battling a substance-abuse problem and currently undergoing some form of rehabilitation.  It’s certainly the saddest tale of this year’s WSOP and serves as a cold reminder: There are a lot of dreamers in the poker world, and even for the more successful players, not all dreams come true.

John Guth Takes $5,000 PLO Hi-Lo Title --  His nickname is "Sir Scoopalot," apt for a split-game champion.  John Guth claimed the bracelet and the $363,216 winner’s check in Event #36, $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo, coming from the middle of the pack to a runaway victory over Robert Stevanovski.  The $5,000 buy-in drew plenty of big names but none made it through to the final table in a year seeing plenty of young, first-time winners.

Hellmuth Gets Another WSOP Cash, Another Headline --  Nary a week goes by at the WSOP without Phil Hellmuth's cashing in another event to extend his own career mark.  Hellmuth’s fourth cash of the series and 61st of his career came in Event #34, $3,000 Limit Holdem.  Hellmuth, not generally regarded as a limit expert, nonetheless made it into the money (but just barely), finishing 25th among the 27 players who cashed.  Alexander Borteh claimed the title in the event, winning $225,483.