News for September 9 — New York Declares Polio Emergency Disaster

New York declares polio disaster emergency: https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/09/health/new-york-polio-disaster-emergency/index.html .

WSJ: ACA premiums to rise significantly: https://www.wsj.com/articles/affordable-care-act-health-plan-premiums-set-to-rise-11662671934 . While consumers have protection against the rate rises (enhanced federal subsidies), small businesses do not.

WSJ: China’s economy looks weak as inflation subsides: https://www.wsj.com/articles/inflation-eases-in-china-as-growth-challenges-pile-up-11662700359 . Meanwhile, China’s real estate contagion spreads to the banks: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-banks-lose-a-mortgage-safety-net-as-developers-slide-into-distress-11662715801 .

Harris concerned about Supreme Court’s “integrity”: https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/3636437-harris-says-shes-concerned-about-integrity-of-supreme-court/ . While I agree with everything Kamala Harris said here, saying the “integrity” part out loud strikes me as inappropriate for a former attorney general. Lawyers generally do not question the integrity of other lawyers (let alone the Supreme Court) except in the context of specific unethical behavior. “Wrong” is not a problem; “integrity” is something of a code word in the legal profession.

WSJ: More indications of a Fed increase of 75 basis points: https://www.wsj.com/articles/fed-official-supports-another-significant-increase-in-interest-rates-this-month-11662739221 . This does call into question the market rally this week. Some suggest that we are seeing a technical rally in an ongoing bear market. A different view from the Journal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/global-stocks-markets-dow-update-09-09-2022-11662725916 .

Ukraine’s eastern advance nears key town: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraines-eastern-advance-puts-forces-close-to-key-town-11662718470 . So, in advance of winter, the Ukrainians are making key advances on all fronts. If these advances continue, the Russians will have little net territory for their invasion. This will be a psychological drag through the long winter. More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ukrainian-brigades-have-punched-through-russian-lines-around-kharkiv/ar-AA11CrMi?cvid=df71cf789f5749a8b6814b763690b419 . Still more: https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/09/europe/zelensky-north-east-ukraine-kharkiv-region-intl/index.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraines-eastern-advance-puts-forces-close-to-key-town-11662718470 .

Meanwhile, the risk to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant increases: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-nuclear-plant-peril-19d47eb1a344666e65e704447920cfd7 . WSJ: Ukraine considers shutting down reactor: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-considers-shutting-nuclear-plant-after-loss-of-backup-power-11662747396 .

WSJ: The Ukrainian war’s artillery duel: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-uses-array-of-howitzers-to-repel-russias-invasion-11662726600 .

Allies push for US weaponry after seeing impact in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-government-and-politics-c05e9b99c2f65d30bfe0102fc9efc7c6 . In war, the media provided by the combatants is not always reliable. However, indirect evidence is very telling. This gives us more confidence that the Ukrainians are turning the tide with more modern weaponry.

OJ lawsuit over 2016 allegations against Hillary tossed: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/judge-dismisses-trump-lawsuit-against-clinton-over-2016-russia-allegations/ar-AA11DvZZ?cvid=412a136376834da39407b6c05dba3754 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/judge-dismisses-donald-trumps-lawsuit-against-hillary-clinton-11662734926 . Well, at least that’s settled …

Special masters proposed as fight over scope of review continues: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-doj-propose-candidates-serve-special-master-review-mar-lago-docu-rcna47108 .

Challenges for Charles: https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-III-british-throne-ab21181c92dbb154a29bad12075662e9 . As noted yesterday, Charles faces major challenges in following his popular mother. Interestingly, he is (by far) the oldest monarch at his investment in the throne (at age 73, hardly surprising) and the first college graduate (shocking, really). His major challenge is to become popular with the British public. He starts off notably less popular than his mother and predecessor, than his ex-wife and than his two children. He faces an additional major challenge – to become relevant.

Newest Merriam-Webster words: https://apnews.com/article/oddities-language-d8b767b6a34b696f9401ad763ff17193 . Merriam-Webster is apparently also struggling to stay relevant.

Joseph Hazelwood, captain of Exxon Valdez, passes at 75 from COVID and cancer: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11198719/Captain-Exxon-Valdez-tanker-infamous-1989-Alaskan-crude-oil-spill-dies-COVID-cancer.html .