The US health science moonshot: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-health-research-agency-arpa-h-starts-search-for-two-hub-locations-d3ea52f2 .
WSJ: Medicare rebate penalty on overpriced drugs kicks in: https://www.wsj.com/articles/first-drugs-facing-medicare-price-penalty-named-by-u-s-6453e7d9 .
Why the litigation over abortion pills is baloney: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-is-an-abortion-pill-leaked-supreme-court-decision-11651775689 . Note this sentence from the article: “Studies have shown the two-medication abortion regimen to be safer than widely used drugs including acetaminophen, penicillin and Viagra.” We know plaintiffs chose this judge, a religious activist, to hear this case. (Lawyers call this “forum shopping”.) More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/federal-judge-to-hear-abortion-pill-arguments-in-texas-case-2c07e989 .
WSJ: US producer prices drop in February: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-producer-prices-dropped-in-february-3e55fe4a . So this should keep the 50 basis point increase off the table at the next Fed meeting.
Will the UK avoid a recession?: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-k-economy-expected-to-avoid-recession-government-says-2c76e4f3 . On the bright side, the UK now has a deal with the EU to solve the “Irish border” problem. However, as far as I can tell, at this time many of the export hassles created by Brexit remain .
WSJ: Will China grow GDP 5% this year?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-economy-rebounds-spurred-by-consumption-d5975d0b . The experts here are somewhat mixed. I am skeptical that China’s consumers will support a significant rebound as exports weaken.
WSJ: Liquidity problems in the US Treasury bond market: https://www.wsj.com/articles/market-stress-snarls-treasury-trading-a84a5417 .
Russia strikes Kharkiv: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-strikes-kharkiv-as-ukraines-allies-prepare-to-discuss-military-support-34e4b2e7 .
WSJ: Finland looks for Turkish approval of their NATO bid this week: https://www.wsj.com/articles/finland-expects-turkey-to-approve-its-nato-membership-bid-this-week-6a8ec65 . Putin will not be a happy camper …
Swiss regulator offers support to Credit Suisse: https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/troubles-credit-suisse-prompt-broader-market-selloff-rcna75037 . Again, poorly run Credit Suisse has had problems for years. There is still no meaningful indication of global contagion. While the experts say the Fed may pause its rate hikes next week, I do not agree. Poorly run failing banks should fail, although reimbursing uninsured depositors makes sense in avoiding other runs. Others agree with my view on rate hikes, but for a different reason: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/stocks-will-tumble-if-the-fed-pauses-rate-hikes-because-it-would-mean-other-banks-are-about-to-collapse-datatrek-research-says/ar-AA18FgYc?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=4a439833ee2e4d22b66777e7a61f1171&ei=29 . UPDATE: Credit Suisse grabs the lifeline: https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/credit-suisse-borrow-5368-billion-swiss-national-bank-rcna75208 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/credit-suisse-stock-decline-tests-strength-of-european-banks-f3d22be0 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/banks-resume-selloff-after-credit-suisse-shares-drop-3e3e8b6d . And: https://www.wsj.com/articles/credit-suisse-says-it-will-borrow-up-to-50-billion-swiss-francs-ac469cc3 . Also: https://www.wsj.com/articles/credit-suisse-shares-plunge-as-bank-storm-spreads-to-europe-7251349d .
Concerns of money laundering at failed Signature Bank: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/report-signature-bank-laundered-millions-before-its-downfall/ar-AA18Fkig?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=bf7de972ea4148528e05e2def08df129&ei=33 .
WSJ: Real-estate investors a part of the run on Signature Bank: https://www.wsj.com/articles/real-estate-investor-run-on-signature-bank-helped-fuel-its-demise-945c36c1 .
And speaking of money laundering, Orange Julius: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/15/trump-media-investigated-possible-money-laundering . Are you surprised? Me neither.
Bannon buddy arrested in billion dollar fraud: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/chinese-billionaire-associate-steve-bannon-213919108.html . The stink coming from Orange Julius associates continues.
Not to be outdone, George Santos adds another scandal to his long list: https://www.rawstory.com/george-santos-money-2659599966/ .
WSJ: Wells Fargo exec will plead guilty to obstruction in fake account scandal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/former-wells-fargo-executive-blamed-in-fake-accounts-scandal-agrees-to-plead-guilty-963ed845 .
DeMentis gets pushback from Republicans on his Ukraine position: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/republican-senators-push-back-desantis-ukraine-remarks-rcna74974 . DeMentis is of course wrong in his isolationist stance on Ukraine. However, that war is a year old while the US Presidential election is 20 months away. Ukraine could very well win the war before the election. Then Biden helped win the war without committing American troops. This will crush the GOP in the 2024 election. Go, Ron, go! Kamala Harris piles on: https://www.thewrap.com/kamala-harris-colbert-ron-desantis-ukraine-lack-experience/ .
WSJ: Texas takes over Houston schools: https://www.wsj.com/articles/texas-removes-houston-schools-leadership-citing-low-academic-results-46d86d4 . So as even the Journal’s reporting acknowledges, this is based on politics, not facts.