The modern world is constantly subjected to crackpot movements that eventually fail, but not before causing serious damage. Karl Marx was a crackpot. So was the John Birch Society in its mission to fight communism “behind every tree.” The latest is Modern Monetary Theory and unlimited dollar creation for government spending, which caused today’s runaway … Read more
Cargo ships carrying Ukraine grain are anchored as they wait in line for the inspection on the Marmara sea, Istanbul, on Oct. 22. Photo: erdem sahin/Shutterstock Vladimir Putin is back using food as a political weapon, as this weekend he withdrew his cooperation with the United Nations’ Black Sea Grain Initiative. This is the agreement … Read more
Monday The European Union’s statistics agency releases third-quarter gross-domestic product information and the October consumer-price index. The 19-nation eurozone faces an uncertain outlook from the war in Ukraine and is struggling with high inflation. Tuesday The Labor Department releases September figures on job openings, hires, quits and layoffs. Job openings fell 10% in August to … Read more
Law enforcement officers stand guard as protesters march in front of the house of Chief Justice John Roberts in Chevy Chase, Md., June 29. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Justice Samuel Alito stated last week that the leak of his draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization endangered the justices’ lives: “It gave people … Read more
Some questions are put forward to distract and not because answers are genuinely sought.
WASHINGTON—Americans paid a greater share of the taxes they owe in recent years, according to new estimates from the Internal Revenue Service. In tax years 2014 through 2016, Americans paid 85% of their taxes on time, up from the agency’s 83.7% estimate for tax years 2011 through 2013, the IRS said Friday. That compliance rate … Read more
Arlington, Va. The U.S. Supreme Court will consider on Monday whether racial preferences in college admissions are illegal. David Bernstein argues they’re irrational. The argument at the high court is that Harvard and the University of North Carolina unlawfully discriminate against Asian-Americans to hold down their numbers and ensure a diverse student body. But what … Read more
WASHINGTON—Federal prosecutors and securities regulators are investigating whether Tesla Inc. TSLA 0.13% misled consumers and investors about how its advanced driver-assistance system performed, according to a person familiar with the matter. The Justice Department is looking at statements that Tesla and its executives made about the safety and functionality of the system known as Autopilot, … Read more
TEL AVIV—Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a small advantage over his rivals in Israel’s leadership race, the last polls before Tuesday’s election show, but a deadlock in the fifth ballot in three years is also a likely outcome. Following the collapse of the government in the summer, Israelis must decide between a record third … Read more
October 28 is investors’ last chance to buy I Bonds that earn a 9.62% interest rate. Yet a surge in demand for the inflation-adjusted bonds has overwhelmed the TreasuryDirect site and the Treasury Department said it cannot guarantee orders will be completed in time. Investors must complete purchases and receive a confirmation email by Oct. … Read more