Notes in the Margin

Also, only 48% of Americans "believe the upcoming midterm elections will be free and democratic." The myths of democracy seem to be in decline.  

"The U.S. national debt reached 100% of gross domestic product for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, hitting the triple-digit mark for the first time since 1946."

Intensifying conflict in the Middle East has sharply heightened concerns over winter energy supplies.

"The Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3-3/4 to 4 percent, in support of the Federal Reserve's dual mandate." 

She will resign nine months before the end of her term, a move that opens the way for European leaders to choose a successor ahead of France’s presidential election next year.

"Housing, health care, education, caregiving, and everyday costs have outpaced wage growth for decades, leaving households with less room to save."

In spite of Trump's promises to install a democratic regime in Venezuela, that never happened. And no one seems to care. 

New York Fed data shows serious credit card delinquencies among Americans 70+ hit 6.3% in Q2 2026 — their highest level since 2011. 

In the rest of the world, the Israeli PM is often blamed for the Iran war. His opponents say he hasn’t been tough enough with Tehran.

"French government bonds, known as OATs, have been among the hardest hit in a global bond selloff fueled by inflation fears, higher interest-rate expectations, and concerns about government debt."