VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) — Chase Forte scored 21 points as South Dakota beat Western Illinois 89-66 on Saturday. Forte added six rebounds and five assists for the Coyotes (9-4). Cameron Fens added 17 points while going 5 of 8 and 7 of 9 from the free-throw line while grabbing six rebounds. Isaac Bruns had 13 points and shot 4 for 10 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line. Marko Maletic led the Leathernecks (6-5) in scoring, finishing with 24 points. Julius Rollins added 13 points for Western Illinois. Sean Smith had 11 points. South Dakota's next game is Thursday against Utah Tech on the road. Western Illinois hosts Tennessee Tech on Tuesday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Maryam invites Chinese tech companies to invest in Punjab
Discovering Diamonds in Minecraft 1.21: A Game Changer AwaitsOpposition fighters are closing in on Syria’s capita l in a swiftly developing crisis that has taken much of the world by surprise. Syria's army has abandoned key cities with little resistance. Nervous residents in Damascus describe security forces on the streets. The state news agency has been forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad has left the country. Who are these opposition fighters? If they enter Damascus after taking some of Syria’s largest cities , what then? Here’s a look at the stunning reversal of fortune for Assad and his government in just the past 10 days, and what might lie ahead as Syria’s 13-year civil war reignites. > 24/7 San Diego news stream: Watch NBC 7 free wherever you are The aim? Overthrow the government This is the first time that opposition forces have reached the outskirts of the Syrian capital since 2018, when the country’s troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The approaching fighters are led by the most powerful insurgent group in Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, along with an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army. Both have been entrenched in the northwest. They launched the shock offensive on Nov. 27 with gunmen capturing Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, and the central city of Hama, the fourth largest. The HTS has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. But the group said in recent years it cut ties with al-Qaida, and experts say HTS has sought to remake itself in recent years by focusing on promoting civilian government in their territory as well as military action. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani told CNN in an exclusive interview Thursday from Syria that the aim of the offensive is to overthrow Assad’s government. Insurgents reach gates of Syria's capital, threatening to upend decades of Assad rule Rebel army seizes one of Syria's biggest cities as government forces retreat What to know about sudden rebel gains in Syria's 13-year war and why it matters Possible rifts ahead The HTS and Syrian National Army have been allies at times and rivals at times, and their aims might diverge. The Turkish-backed militias also have an interest in creating a buffer zone near the Turkish border to keep away Kurdish militants at odds with Ankara. Turkey has been a main backer of the fighters seeking to overthrow Assad but more recently has urged reconciliation, and Turkish officials have strongly rejected claims of any involvement in the current offensive. Whether the HTS and the Syrian National Army will work together if they succeed in overthrowing Assad or turn on each other again is a major question. Others take advantage While the flash offensive against Syria’s government began in the north, armed opposition groups have also mobilized elsewhere. The southern areas of Sweida and Daraa have both been taken locally. Sweida is the heartland of Syria’s Druze religious minority and had been the site of regular anti-government protests even after Assad seemingly consolidated his control over the area. Daraa is a Sunni Muslim area that was widely seen as the cradle of the uprising against Assad’s rule that erupted in 2011. Daraa was recaptured by Syrian government troops in 2018, but rebels remained in some areas. In recent years, Daraa was in a state of uneasy quiet under a Russian-mediated ceasefire deal. And much of Syria's east is controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led group backed by the United States that in the past has clashed with most other armed groups in the country. Syria's government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus. What’s next? Much depends on Assad’s next moves and his forces' will to fight the rebels. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces have started carrying out the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. And Syrian troops withdrew Saturday from much of the central city of Homs, Syria's third largest, according to a pro-government outlet and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. If that city is captured, the link would be cut between Damascus, Assad’s seat of power, and the coastal region where he enjoys wide support. “Homs to the coastal cities will be a very huge red line politically and socially. Politically, if this line is crossed, then we are talking about the end of the entire Syria, the one that we knew in the past,” said a Damascus resident, Anas Joudeh. Assad appears to be largely on his own as allies Russia and Iran are distracted by other conflicts and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah has been weakened by its war with Israel, now under a fragile ceasefire. The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, seeks urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition,” saying the situation is changing by the minute. He met with foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran on the sidelines of the Doha Summit. President-elect Donald Trump in his first extensive comments on the developments in Syria said the besieged Assad didn’t deserve U.S. support to stay in power. “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT,” Trump posted on social media. ___ Associated Press writer Abby Sewell in Beirut contributed.NEW DELHI: BJP on Tuesday launched a counter-offensive against Congress, with its chief ministers across the country highlighting instances where they claim Congress functionaries had "humiliated" B R Ambedkar. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath accused Congress of disrespecting Ambedkar, the architect of India's Constitution, both during his lifetime and posthumously. Addressing a press conference, he accused India's first PM, Jawaharlal Nehru, of opposing Ambedkar's inclusion in the Constitution Drafting Committee. He added Congress and SP shared a history of neglecting Dalits, although he avoided mentioning BSP, which had also protested Shah's comments. He contrasted BJP's efforts to honor Ambedkar with Congress's alleged disrespect, noting his party's initiatives like building memorials in significant places linked to Ambedkar's life. Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel pointed out Congress's refusal to award the Bharat Ratna to Ambedkar, while focusing on "one family's glorification". He criticised Congress for attacking home minister Amit Shah's comments out of context to fuel political drama. Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi said Nehru insulted Ambedkar and demanded that Congress apologise for their actions, particularly highlighting the first PM's opposition in elections against Ambedkar. Majhi also pointed out Congress's preference for Muslim quotas over those for SCs and STs, leading to Ambedkar's resignation from Nehru's cabinet. They collectively accused Congress of a long-standing pattern of undermining Ambedkar's legacy, using recent political debates as a platform to revisit these historical grievances. MP CM Mohan Yadav said Congress netas had circulated a doctored video of Shah to create a confusion about Ambedkar, which is another testimony to frustration within Congress. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword . Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes , messages , and quotes .
An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped and rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral. “I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” Macron said at the reopening ceremony. Thomas Adamson And John Leicester, The Associated Press Dec 7, 2024 10:56 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message FILE - People stand outside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, on Nov. 29 2024. (Sarah Meyssonnier/Pool Photo via AP, File) PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped and rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral. “I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” Macron said at the reopening ceremony. “Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken,” sending the “music of hope” to Parisians, France and the world. Macron spoke in front of 1,500 guests invited to celebrate the restoration of Paris’ 12th-century cathedral which was nearly destroyed by a fire in 2019. They included world leaders like President-elect Donald Trump , U.S. first lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. PARIS (AP) — Howling winds couldn’t stop Notre Dame Cathedral ’s heart from beating again. With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a specially designed crosier carved from fire-scorched beams, the monument roared back to life Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating blaze nearly destroyed it in 2019, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches. The ceremony, initially planned to begin on the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to unusually fierce December winds sweeping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendor. Inside the luminous nave, choirs sang psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, thundered to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies. The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline — and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes . The evening’s celebration, attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscored Notre Dame’s enduring role as both a spiritual and cultural beacon. Observers see the event as Macron's, and his intention to pivot it into a fully fledged diplomatic gathering, while highlighting France’s ability to unite on the global stage despite internal political crises. Monumental feats of restoration Inside, 42,000 square meters of stonework — an area equal to six soccer pitches — were meticulously cleaned, revealing luminous limestone and intricate carvings. Overhead, 2,000 oak beams, nicknamed “the forest,” were used to rebuild the spire and roof, restoring the cathedral’s iconic silhouette. The thunderous great organ, with 7,952 pipes ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide, resounded for the first time since the fire. Its newly renovated console, boasting five keyboards, 115 stops, and 30 foot pedals, was a marvel of restoration, reawakening a cornerstone of Notre Dame’s identity. Guests gradually filing into the cathedral for the evening reopening ceremonies were awestruck by the renovated interiors, many whipping out cellphones to capture the moment. “It’s a sense of perfection,” said François Le Page of the Notre Dame Foundation, which raised nearly half of the €900 million ($950 million) in donations for the restoration. He last visited in 2021, when the cathedral was cloaked in scaffolding. “It was somber,” he said. “It’s night and day.” The Rev. Andriy Morkvas, a Ukrainian pastor who leads the Volodymyr Le Grand church in Paris, reflected on his first visit to Notre Dame in over a decade. “I didn’t recognize it,” he said. “God is very powerful; He can change things.” He expressed hope that the cathedral’s revival could inspire peace in his homeland, drawing strength from the presence of Ukraine’s president. “I think that will have a big impact,” he said. “I hope Notre Dame and Mary will help us resolve this conflict.” The reopening of Notre Dame comes at a time of profound global unrest, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ “It is a magnificent symbol of unity,” Dumas said. “Notre Dame is not just a French monument—it is a magnificent sign of hope.” The international range of dignitaries coming to Paris underline the cathedral’s significance as a symbol of shared heritage and peace. Canadian visitor Noelle Alexandria, who had traveled to Paris for the reopening, was struck by the cathedral’s ability to inspire. “She’s been nearly ruined before, but she always comes back,” Alexandria said. “Not many of us could say the same after such tragedy, but Notre Dame can.” Historical details enrich the occasion Guests entered through Notre Dame’s iconic western façade, whose arched portals adorned with biblical carvings were once a visual guide for medieval believers. Above the central Portal of the Last Judgment, the Archangel Michael is depicted weighing souls, as demons attempt to tip the scales. These stone figures, designed to inspire both awe and fear, set the stage for a ceremony steeped in history. Inside, the hum of hundreds of guests awaiting the service filled the cathedral with human sounds once more — a stark contrast to the construction din that echoed there for years. Tuners restoring the great organ often worked through the night to find the silence needed to perfect its 7,952 pipes, ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide. Notre Dame echoed to the sound of a sustained standing ovation after the showing of a short movie that documented the gargantuan rebuilding effort. Outside, the word “MERCI” — thank you — was projected against the cathedral’s iconic western facade. The movie showed the terrible wounds left by the inferno — the gaping holes torn into its vaulted ceilings and the burned roof. But that was followed by images of all types of artisans, many using traditional handicraft techniques, who collectively restored Notre Dame to look better now than ever. "We went from night to light," said one of the workers in the movie. Macron's political woes The celebration is expected to give a much-needed boost to embattled Macron, whose prime minister was ousted this week , plunging the nation’s politics into more turmoil. The French president, who has called Notre Dame's reopening “a jolt of hope,” will address the gathering. He had hoped the occasion would briefly silence his critics and showcase France’s unity and resilience under his leadership. Macron's presidency now faces its gravest crisis after the government's collapse this week in a historic no-confidence vote that toppled Prime Minister Michel Barnier. The vote followed months of political gridlock after snap elections in June. Calls are now growing louder from opposition forces for Macron to resign. But he vowed Thursday to remain in office until the end of his term in 2027, and said he'll name a new prime minister within days. As France struggles with economic woes and social unrest, Notre Dame's rebirth celebrations form a stark contrast. Security is tight for this global event Security will be high through the weekend, echoing measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year. The Île de la Cité — the small island in the River Seine that is home to Notre Dame and the historic heart of Paris— is closed to tourists and non-residents. Police vans and barriers blocked cobblestoned streets in a large perimeter around the island, while soldiers in thick body armor and sniffer dogs patrolled embankments. A special security detail is following Trump. Public viewing areas along the Seine’s southern bank will accommodate 40,000 spectators, who can follow the celebrations on large screens. For many, Notre Dame’s rebirth is not just a French achievement but a global one — after the reopening, the cathedral is set to welcome 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million before the fire. ___ Sylvie Corbet, Yesica Brumec, Marine Lesprit and Mark Carlson in Paris contributed. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through The AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Thomas Adamson And John Leicester, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More The Mix How 'Mufasa' rose with Aaron Pierre and Blue Ivy's voices along with new Lin-Manuel Miranda music Dec 7, 2024 10:49 AM Beaten by Australia, Canadian women miss out on semifinals at Cape Town Sevens Dec 7, 2024 10:23 AM Nobel Literature Prize winner Han Kang talks about how writing connects her to readers Dec 7, 2024 9:46 AM Featured FlyerTrump slams Biden’s decision to commute 37 murderers’ sentences as ‘makes no sense’
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The S&P 500 has rallied about 25% over the past year. It has risen thanks to a strong economy and moderating inflation, with the latter factor enabling the Federal Reserve to start reducing interest rates. However, not every stock has participated in the broader market's bull run. Several top real estate investment trusts ( REITs ) are down about 20% from their recent highs, including Realty Income ( O -0.77% ) , Prologis ( PLD -1.54% ) , and Extra Space Storage ( EXR -1.01% ) . That's partly due to the Fed's decision to slow the pace of future rate reductions since the economy remains strong while inflation hasn't cooled off enough. Because of that, these excellent dividend stocks offer even higher dividend yields, making them great stocks to buy now and hold for a potential lifetime of passive dividend income. It doesn't get much better than t his Realty Income has done a magnificent job increasing its dividend over the years. The diversified REIT recently delivered its 128th dividend increase since its public market listing in 1994. It currently has streaks of 109 straight quarters and 30 consecutive years of boosting its dividend. The REIT has grown its payout at a 4.3% compound annual rate during that period. With its share price down about 20%, this extremely consistent dividend currently yields around 6%. That's several times higher than the S&P 500's dividend yield (1.2%). Realty Income should have no trouble growing its dividend in the future. Its portfolio produces very stable cash flow because it focuses on owning single-tenant properties net leased to the world's leading companies . Those leases require that tenants cover all operating costs, including routine maintenance, real estate taxes, and building insurance. The REIT pays out a conservative percentage of its stable cash flow in dividends (75% of its adjusted funds from operations ), allowing it to retain additional cash to invest in more income-generating properties. It also has one of the best balance sheets in the REIT sector. These factors should enable Realty Income to continue acquiring income-producing properties and increasing its high-yielding dividend in the future. Leading dividend growth Prologis has delivered leading dividend growth in recent years. The top industrial REIT has increased its dividend payment at a 13% compound annual rate over the last five years. That's more than double the dividend growth rates of the S&P 500 and the REIT sector average (5% each). The company's payout currently yields nearly 4%, thanks partially to the roughly 20% decline in its share price. The company has benefited from strong demand for warehouse space, driven in part by the growing adoption of e-commerce. Companies with online sales need three times the space per $1 billion of sales to run their e-commerce operations compared to a brick-and-mortar store due to the higher product variety, greater inventory, and other factors. Prologis is in an excellent position to capitalize on the continued growth in warehouse demand. It has a leading portfolio with over 5,600 buildings and 1.2 billion square feet of rentable space in 20 countries. Meanwhile, it has a massive land bank that could support $41 billion of future buildouts. T he company is also expanding into new areas, like sustainable e nergy, d igital infrastructure (i.e., data centers), and providing additional services to its tenants. Add in the fact that Prologis has one of the strongest balance sheets in the REIT sector, and it's in an excellent position to continue delivering above-average dividend growth. Extra-sized dividend growth Extra Space Storage has been a dividend growth machine over the years. The leading self-storage REIT increased its dividend by nearly 245% over the past 10 years. That payout currently yields more than 4%, driven up by the 20% slump in its shares. The company has benefited from several growth drivers. It has capitalized on steadily growing demand for storage (11.1% of U.S. households currently use storage, up from 5.5% 20 years ago). That has driven steady revenue growth at its existing properties while enabling the REIT to expand its portfolio. It has routinely gobbled up properties from developers while also acquiring large portfolios and other REITs (including buying Life Storage for $15 billion last year). It has also built out the sector's largest third-party management business, which manages self-storage properties for other owners. As a result, the REIT now has the biggest share of the U.S. storage market at 14%. Extra Space has plenty of room to continue growing. Its strong balance sheet will allow it to continue consolidating the sector (about 43% of the country's storage capacity is institutional quality properties not currently owned by a REIT). Extra Space can also continue growing its third-party management platform and bridge lending/preferred equity funding program for developers, both of which often open the door to acquisition opportunities. That growth should enable the REIT to continue increasing its dividend. Lower prices = higher dividend yields The slump in these REITs has driven up their already attractive dividend yields to even higher levels. They all have strong growth prospects and balance sheets, which should enable them to continue increasing their dividends in the coming years. That makes them even better buys right now for those seeking a potential lifetime of passive dividend income.10 Bangladeshi Hindus who feld to India held in Tripura for illegal entryTrump slams Biden’s decision to commute 37 murderers’ sentences as ‘makes no sense’An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on
Forrest's 30 lead N.C. A&T past North Carolina Central 85-72
Ariana Grande’s Boyfriend Calls Cynthia Erivo Her Soul MateI start most days by reading the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). The WSJ has been my favorite newspaper to read for nearly 30 years. Its regular reporting is well-written and informative. Its op-eds are often provocative but also well-worth reading. But a week ago, I read an opinion piece from a long time WSJ opinion columnist titled “How Mexico Missed the Nearshoring Boom,” and I almost fell out of my chair. The columnist is one whose work I have read diligently for over a decade, and who I respect for her opinions and perspectives on Latin America. But this particular column’s thesis of a “missed opportunity” was, to me, totally incorrect. A review of key nearshoring and export data would make it hard to conclude that the opportunity has been missed: These numbers present the real story, show a clear trend, and provide no evidence of a “missed opportunity.” In fact, if the next U.S. administration enacts a 60% tariff on China as has been suggested, then Mexico could become even more attractive and further increase its leading position in exports to the United States. As Mexico News Daily has frequently reported, business leaders on the ground in Mexico insist that the nearshoring boom is real , that it is in fact happening, and that there is much more impact yet to come. More importantly, the results of many companies show just how real the trends are. Sales of many export-oriented companies are growing double digits, profits are increasing, and many of those companies are making significant investments in plants, equipment and people to continue driving growth in the years to come. Industrial parks are at record low levels of occupancy and new ones are being built throughout the country. That is precisely why it’s so important to listen to business leaders on issues like these, hear firsthand what they are doing, and look beyond the political rhetoric. Business leaders make decisions that involve money and often long-term investments, so observing their actions matters. There is, of course, much uncertainty on the horizon for global trade flows and manufacturing plans given the promises of significant tariffs coming soon from the Trump administration — and Mexico will most certainly be impacted. But it’s hard to not see this uncertainty having an even more significant impact on China, which should only make Mexico even more attractive as a nearshoring destination. Mexico has and always will have geography in its favor, and its cost of labor, workforce skills and productivity levels are globally competitive. The nearshoring boom has not had as large an impact as quickly as had been hoped for Mexico, but I think it’s important to recognize that such significant changes in supply chain strategy often take time. Many companies spent the last several decades moving manufacturing to Asian countries, so it is reasonable to expect that changes in a company’s manufacturing footprint do not happen overnight. It is also likely that many companies were waiting for more clarity on the Mexican elections, the U.S. elections and potential trade policy changes. With some of those big questions resolved, it seems reasonable to expect that things will now begin to move faster. Mexico, despite its imperfections, has shown to be a consistent and reliable destination for investment for many years. I personally think that we are still in the early innings of what will be a significant nearshoring opportunity for both Mexico and North America as a whole for years to come. Declaring that it was a missed opportunity is neither correct nor constructive. The real missed opportunity was chance to present an accurate picture of nearshoring in Mexico. What was presented in the article is far from the reality that I see and hear on the ground, or from what the data shows. It was yet another example of what I have seen as the consistent trend of international media to often only focus on the negative side of the story when it comes to Mexico. That was, of course, a significant motivator of ours in buying Mexico News Daily: to present a more complete and comprehensive perspective on the country that is sorely lacking in most international media today. I will say that the nearshoring boom has not come as quickly as hoped and has not yet had nearly the impact expected. Yet hardly a day goes by without critical improvements in the country’s security, energy, water, education and infrastructure. Mexico (both the public and private sectors) have much work to do to fully realize the benefits of the nearshoring opportunity, but it is moving in the right direction. Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.
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Julie Appleby | KFF Health News Unauthorized switching of Affordable Care Act plans appears to have tapered off in recent weeks based on an almost one-third drop in casework associated with consumer complaints, say federal regulators . The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which oversees the ACA, credits steps taken to thwart enrollment and switching problems that triggered more than 274,000 complaints this year through August. Now, the annual ACA open enrollment period that began Nov. 1 poses a real-world test: Will the changes curb fraud by rogue agents or brokerages without unduly slowing the process of enrolling or reducing the total number of sign-ups for 2025 coverage? “They really have this tightrope to walk,” said Sabrina Corlette, co-director of the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University. “The more you tighten it up to prevent fraud, the more barriers there are that could inhibit enrollment among those who need the coverage.” CMS said in July that some types of policy changes — those in which the agent is not “affiliated” with the existing plan — will face more requirements, such as a three-way call with the consumer, broker, and a healthcare.gov call center representative. In August, the agency barred two of about a dozen private sector online-enrollment platforms from connecting with healthcare.gov over concerns related to improper switching. And CMS has suspended 850 agents suspected of being involved in unauthorized plan-switching from accessing the ACA marketplace. Still, the clampdown could add complexity to enrollment and slow the process. For example, a consumer might have to wait in a queue for a three-way call, or scramble to find a new agent because the one they previously worked with had been suspended. Given that phone lines with healthcare.gov staff already get busy — especially during mid-December — agents and policy analysts advise consumers not to dally this year. “Hit the ground running,” said Ronnell Nolan, president and CEO of Health Agents for America, a professional organization for brokers. Meanwhile, reports are emerging that some rogue entities are already figuring out workarounds that could undermine some of the anti-fraud protections CMS put in place, Nolan said. “Bottom line is: Fraud and abuse is still happening,” Nolan said. Brokers assist the majority of people actively enrolling in ACA plans and are paid a monthly commission by insurers for their efforts. Consumers can compare plans or enroll themselves online through federal or state marketplace websites. They can also seek help from people called assisters or navigators — certified helpers who are not paid commissions. Under a “find local help” button on the federal and state ACA websites , consumers can search for nearby brokers or navigators. CMS says it has “ramped up support operations” at its healthcare.gov marketplace call centers, which are open 24/7, in anticipation of increased demand for three-way calls, and it expects “minimal wait times,” said Jeff Wu, deputy director for policy of the CMS Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight. Wu said those three-way calls are necessary only when an agent or a broker not already associated with a consumer’s enrollment wants to change that consumer’s enrollment or end that consumer’s coverage. It does not apply to people seeking coverage for the first time. Organizations paid by the government to offer navigator services have a dedicated phone line to the federal marketplace, and callers are not currently experiencing long waits, said Xonjenese Jacobs, director of Florida Covering Kids & Families, a program based at the University of South Florida that coordinates enrollment across the state through its Covering Florida navigator program. Navigators can assist with the three-way calls if a consumer’s situation requires it. “Because we have our quick line in, there’s no increased wait time,” Jacobs said. The problem of unauthorized switches has been around for a while but took off during last year’s open enrollment season. Brokers generally blamed much of the problem on the ease with which rogue agents can access ACA information in the federal marketplace, needing only a person’s name, date of birth, and state of residence. Though federal regulators have worked to tighten that access with the three-way call requirement, they stopped short of instituting what some agent groups say is needed: two-factor authentication, which could involve a code accessed by a consumer through a smartphone. Unauthorized switches can lead to a host of problems for consumers, from higher deductibles to landing in new networks that do not include their preferred physicians or hospitals. Some people have received tax bills when unauthorized policies came with premium credits for which they did not qualify. Unauthorized switches posed a political liability for the Biden administration, a blemish on two years of record ACA enrollment. The practice drew criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle; Democrats demanded more oversight and punishment of rogue agents, while Republicans said fraud attempts were fueled by Biden administration moves that allowed for more generous premium subsidies and special enrollment periods. The fate of those enhanced subsidies, which are set to expire, will be decided by Congress next year as the Trump administration takes power. But the premiums and subsidies that come with 2025 plans that people are enrolling in now will remain in effect for the entire year. The actions taken this year to thwart the unauthorized enrollments apply to the federal marketplace, used by 31 states . The remaining states and the District of Columbia run their own websites, with many having in place additional layers of security. Related Articles Health | Do not wash your turkey and other Thanksgiving tips to keep your food safe Health | Feds suspend ACA marketplace access to companies accused of falsely promising ‘cash cards’ Health | More foods are making us sick: What to know as foodborne outbreaks hit Health | Kim De Serpa begins transition into role as 2nd District Santa Cruz County supervisor Health | At least 19 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall For its part, CMS says its efforts are working, pointing to the 30% drop in complaint casework. The agency also noted a 90% drop in the number of times an agent’s name was replaced by another’s, which it says indicates that it is tougher for rival agents to steal clients to gain the monthly commissions that insurers pay. Still, the move to suspend 850 agents has drawn pushback from agent groups that initially brought the problem to federal regulators’ attention. They say some of those accused were suspended before getting a chance to respond to the allegations. “There will be a certain number of agents and brokers who are going to be suspended without due process,” said Nolan, with the health agents’ group. She said that it has called for increased protections against unauthorized switching and that two-factor authentication, like that used in some state marketplaces or in the financial sector, would be more effective than what’s been done. “We now have to jump through so many hoops that I’m not sure we’re going to survive,” she said of agents in general. “They are just throwing things against the wall to see what sticks when they could just do two-factor.” The agency did not respond to questions asking for details about how the 850 agents suspended since July were selected, the states where they were located, or how many had their suspensions reversed after supplying additional information.
XTI Aerospace Reports Voting Results from 2024 Annual MeetingElectrical Contractors Congratulate Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer on Nomination as U.S. Secretary of Labor
Islamabad [Pakistan], : The Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, on Saturday said that an International Cricket Council meeting regarding the 2025 Champions Trophy has been postponed. He stated that updates would be provided once details were finalised. "We had a meeting today, it's been postponed. Once the details have been finalised, we'll update you. We will not disappoint the nation. Talks are still ongoing, but I do not want to say anything that is premature. We are aiming to achieve the best for Pakistan and international cricket. If the ICC progresses, cricket will progress. If there is a dent in the ICC, it will be felt across the world," Mohsin Naqvi said in a video posted by PCB on X. He stated that updates would be provided once details were finalised. "We had a meeting today, it's been postponed. Once the details have been finalised, we'll update you. We will not disappoint the nation. Talks are still ongoing, but I do not want to say anything that is premature. We are aiming to achieve the best for Pakistan and international cricket. If the ICC progresses, cricket will progress. If there is a dent in the ICC, it will be felt across the world," Mohsin Naqvi said in a video posted by PCB on X. https://x.com/TheRealPCB/status/1865408876109275365 While the Pakistan Cricket Board was adamant about hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan, the recent developments have suggested that the stalemate has been broken. According to recent developments, the International Cricket Council and the PCB have reportedly reached an in-principle agreement to adopt a hybrid model for global tournaments hosted in Pakistan or India until 2027. This model would allow both nations to play their games at ICC tournaments hosted by the other country at a neutral venue. Although sources confirmed the agreement to ESPNcricinfo, the PCB, the official host of the 2025 Champions Trophy, has not publicly commented, stating only that discussions are ongoing. It is still unclear whether the hybrid model will apply to both men's and women's tournaments. In the ICC's current commercial cycle , there are three global events scheduled to be hosted in either country, the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February 2025, the women's ODI World Cup in India later in 2025, and the men's T20 World Cup in 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. According to ESPNcricinfo, the agreement was reportedly reached after meetings between new ICC Chair Jay Shah and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi in Dubai. These discussions took place alongside a courtesy board meeting arranged by Shah during his visit to the ICC headquarters in his new role. A formal Board meeting to discuss the Champions Trophy was scheduled for Saturday but the meeting was postponed. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
