Author Archives: Yves Smith

Progressives Sound Alarm as Harris Courts Crypto Industry

“Crypto is a haven for businesspeople with nefarious or criminal intent.”

Desperate-Looking Biden Administration Attempt to Get 21-Day Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire

Yet another Biden-Blinken ceasefire fantasy makes headlines.

CBO: GOP Social Security Plan Would Cut Benefits by Thousands, Not Extend Solvency

The CBO releases an analysis of a Project 2025-adjacent plan to reduce Social Security benefits. The “reforms” don’t improve fund solvency!

The Challenge of Preserving Good Data in the Age of AI

If AI-created content floods the internet, who decides what online information is worth archiving?

Indian Foreign Minister Throws Cold Water on the Idea of a BRICS Currency

The Indian foreign minister make fatal (at least for now) objections to the idea of a BRICS currency.

Diet-Related Diseases Are the No. 1 Cause of Death in the US – Yet Many Doctors Receive Little to No Nutrition Education in Med School

An exhortation for doctors to get more nutrition education so they can advise patients on diet. But is that as simple as it seems?

Links 9/25/2024

Who Holds All These US Treasuries? Update on the Investors in the Ballooning US National Debt in Q2

As the Fed unloads Treasuries, others are purchasing them…including foreign central banks.

How Cities Run Dry

How afflicted cities are trying to cope with water shortages.

What Is a “Fair” Drug Price?

Debunking Big Pharma whinging over Inflation Reduction Act drug price negotiations.

Fog of (Dis)Information in Escalating Israel-Lebanon Conflict

Some updates on the escalating Israel-Lebanon conflict and on the poor state of reporting.

Links 9/24/2024

Days After Rate Cut, S&P’s Flash PMI Sees Rising Inflation and Exhorts the Fed to “Move Cautiously” with “Further Rate Cuts”

S&P: “The “reacceleration of inflation” suggests “the Fed cannot totally shift its focus away from its inflation target.”

Closing the Health Gap: How Chronic Illness Drives Health Inequality Early On

A look at how chronic disease by age and income cohort affects health inequality.

The Fed’s Reactive-Looking Half-Point Rate Cut

The Fed’s half point rate reduction was unseemly large. What gives?