Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Something Just Cracked in Spain’s Mortgage Market
Spain already witnessed one of the most spectacular housing bubbles and busts so far this century. As pressures in the mortgage market grow, the government and banks are determined to avoid a rerun.
Massive Cancellations Make Mess of Already Low New-House Sales. Inventory Glut at Deep Housing Bust 1 Level. Buyer Traffic Plunges
Another thing: inflation. Just when you thought the construction-cost spike was abating, it hit a new record.
Holiday Schedule and Sort of Comments Holiday
Wishing Americans a festive holiday, and hope those in the rest of the world can kick back as well.
2:00PM Water Cooler 11/23/2022
~ Today’s Water Cooler ~
Key Institutional Crypto Player, Genesis, on Verge of Failure; Possibility of “Apocalyptic” Bitcoin Liquidation
Genesis, another key block in the crypto Jenga tower, looks like it is about to be removed from the game. What might fall down as a result?
Is Science Really Self-Correcting? Yes, But the Mechanism Varies
cience, or here, scientific journals do have their problematic papers caught out. But oddly they are not delisted or deplatformed.
COP27’s Loss and Damage Deal Isn’t a Win. It Committed Us To Devastation
COP27 made no clear commitment to decarbonisation and stopping climate-change-induced loss and damage
Polish President Andrzej Duda Doesn’t Want War With Russia, But He Doesn’t Want To Tell Polish Voters
President Duda was pranked! Hilarity and uncomfortable revelations follow.
2:00PM Water Cooler 11/22/2022
~ Today’s Water Cooler ~
Audits — Hidden Until Now — Reveal Millions in Medicare Advantage Overcharges
Newly released federal audits reveal widespread overcharges and other errors in payments to Medicare Advantage health plans for seniors, with some plans overbilling the government more than $1,000 per patient a year on average.
“Inverse” Migration: Why Are So Many US Citizens Moving to Mexico?
As life gets prohibitively expensive for people living in the US (and many other rich economies), relatively cheaper countries like Mexico are becoming increasingly attractive. But for local people the costs are growing.
A Quick Note About Additional FTX Sleaze
Some shady FTX behavior that hopefully won’t be lost in the shuffle of new revelations.
