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 | 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 | Which health insurance plan may be right for you? Health | Pay first, deliver later: Some women are being asked to prepay for their baby Health | Your cool black kitchenware could be slowly poisoning you, study says. Here’s what to do 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.
Share Tweet Share Share Email Organised by Web3 and AI consulting giant VAP Group , the Global Blockchain Show, held on December 12 and 13, 2024 at the Grand Hyatt Exhibition Centre in Dubai, concluded as a landmark event for blockchain enthusiasts and industry leaders worldwide. The Ultimate Blockchain Season Finale brought together the brightest minds in blockchain technology to explore its transformative power and potential. Powered by a leading media network Times of Blockchain, the Global Blockchain Show was co-located with the Global Games Show and the Global AI Show that saw a footfall of over 3,000 attendees. From keynote sessions, panel discussions, fireside chats, and startup pitch competitions to the War of the Robots, engaging side events, an official awards ceremony, and a lively after-party to conclude it all, the two-day show was jam-packed with thrilling activities and unforgettable moments. Prominent themes and topics discussed during the show included building the open metaverse: winning Web3 with gamification, presented by Yat Siu, Co-Founder & Chairman, Animoca Brands; David Palmer, Chief Product Officer, Co-Founder, Vodafone’s Digital Asset Broker (DAB) Platform, Vodafone; Johnson Yeh, Founder & CEO, ROEHL/Ambrus Studio; Jonathan Bouzanquet, Chief Strategy Officer & Founder, PLAYA3ULL GAMES; and the moderator – Mia Soarez, A-List Host/Founder, Walkin. Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman & CEO, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre led a visionary talk on blockchain beyond borders that explored how blockchain is reshaping global trade and innovation. A fireside chat by Murad Mahmudov, Private Investor and Mia Soarez, Founder, Walkin, dove deep into the memecoin supercycle and its prospects for 2025. Jason Allegrante, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer, Fireblocks, presented a keynote on how U.S. policies could influence global crypto innovation, and other C-level executives and key leaders in the Web3 industry such as John Patrick Mullin, Founder and CEO, MANTRA; Patrick O’Kain, General Partner, Borderless Capital; Jeroen Gillekens, Principal, Roland Berger talked about strategic trends, the potential of Web3, navigating bull and bear markets, Web3 security and much more. While the duct-taped banana wall and the crypto confessions wall provided attendees with thought-provoking and quirky highlights, a robot serving water to guests and another sketching personalized portraits on the show floor added a futuristic and interactive touch to the vibrant atmosphere. A prestigious awards ceremony honored visionaries and trailblazers in Web3. Winners of the Global Blockchain Awards included Quorium, Cardano, Uniswap, Ripple, Aave, Neo, Ledger, and more, for categories such as the Next-Gen Tokenization Award, the Crypto Sustainability Award, the Best DAO Award, the Blockchain Innovator Award, the DeFi Trailblazer Award, the Best Use of Smart Contracts Award, the Excellence in Blockchain Security Award, respectively. The Global Blockchain Show, sponsored by PLAYA3ULL GAMES, Global Market of Artification, C1, Alibaba Cloud, Dubai Blockchain Centre, among others, concluded with the ultimate VIP afterparty at the Soho Garden Meydan in Dubai. As the event drew to a close, participants departed with fresh perspectives, invaluable connections, and a shared commitment to shaping the future of blockchain. Plans for the 2025 edition are already underway, promising an even more impactful gathering for the Web3 community. For more information, visit www.globalblockchainshow.com . About VAP Group: VAP Group, established in 2013, is a Blockchain and AI consulting giant as well as a leading force in Web3 and AI solutions, offering services in PR, advertising, recruitment, content development events and media management. Flagship events organized by VAP Group include the world-renowned Global Blockchain Show, Global Games Show and Global AI Show. VAP Group drives innovation through strategic PR and influencer marketing, bounty campaigns, and global events that showcase the brightest minds in the transformative fields of Web3, AI and Gaming. For media enquiries, exclusive interviews, or press passes, please reach out to: media@globalblockchainshow.com Related Items: Blockchain and AI Innovations , Global Blockchain Show , Global Blockchain Show Dubai , VAP Group , VAP Group Global Summit Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you VAP Group’s Global AI Show Explores the Future of AI with Over 3,000 Participants VAP Group Set to Host Second Edition of Global AI Show in Dubai Global Blockchain Show 2024: VAP Group to Host the Ultimate Blockchain Season Finale Comments
‘Telltale Games’: Missing a Pioneer of Narrative ExcellenceJAKARTA, Dec 21 — Indonesian artist Arahmaiani has had many lives — from an imprisoned then exiled anti-dictatorship activist to a hippie, art teacher and environmentalist — which have inspired her works that test the limits of freedom. The South-east Asian artist was a nomad for years because of a crackdown on her paintings, installations and performances, which were viewed as provocative in the conservative Muslim-majority nation. Her works are now on show at Britain’s Tate Modern in London for the first time and in November she gave a performance there focusing on violence suffered by Chinese-Indonesians in unrest during the fall of dictator Suharto in the late 1990s. Her voice and percussion-based performance named “Burning Country” presents a healing process for the community after the trauma from riots still fresh in the memory. Her radical view of that era, questioning of religious tolerance and environmental damage were major themes of her mini-exhibition “The Wrath of Earth” held in the Indonesian capital Jakarta in August and September. “Art should challenge the status quo and provoke thought. It is a means to question our reality and inspire change,” she wrote in the exhibition catalogue. ‘Our Frida Kahlo’ Prominently featured in Jakarta were Linnga and Yoni, masculine and feminine symbols that are Hindu representations of the balance of opposites. Indonesians “wanted to forget these symbols” that were once omnipresent in the archipelago, which was Buddhist, Hindu and animist before becoming the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, she said. “I want to remind myself and others about this forgotten cultural heritage,” Arahmaiani, 63, told AFP. Recognised abroad as one of the region’s best artists, she is “less so in Indonesia”, said Deborah Iskandar, owner of ASI Gallery in Jakarta that hosted Arahmaiani’s exhibition this year. She wanted to host an exhibition for Arahmaiani to “introduce her work to a younger generation of art lovers”, she said. Exhibition curator Nasir Tamara calls Arahmaiani “our Frida Kahlo”, comparing her to the Mexican feminist and taboo-breaker. “For young people, Yani (Arahmaiani) is a heroine, she’s free. She’s been a fighter since university,” she said. The black-haired woman with a serene smile from Indonesia’s main island of Java now laughs at past controversies. Born in the Javan city of Bandung to a cleric father and a mother of Hindu-Buddhist descent, she studied art at the Bandung Institute of Technology. She was briefly imprisoned there in 1983 following complaints about her works from Islamist parties. ‘Freedom for everyone’ A 1993 painting “Lingga-Yoni” and 1994 installation “Etalase” caused controversy for combining symbols linked to Islam, Western culture and sexuality. Conservative Muslims called for these works to be censored and Arahmaiani received death threats. She then left for Australia, where she carried on her studies while living with a hippy community. “There should be freedom for everyone, including women, on the religious basis of love and compassion,” she said. But being a Muslim woman abroad can also carry its own stigma. She criticised those prejudices in her installation “11 Juni 2002” after a trip to the United States. In that work, she recreates a room where she was detained by American immigration officers. Her status as a young Muslim woman travelling alone had made authorities suspicious about possible terrorism links, she said. In 2006, following a major earthquake in the central Javan city of Yogyakarta, she launched the “Flag Project”: spectacular performances in which flags are waved with messages that encourage community dialogue. Those performances were replicated elsewhere, including Tibet. Arahmaiani is involved in environmental protection work there and visits regularly, marvelling at the historical links between Tibetan Buddhism and Indonesia’s Buddhist heritage. The artist says she is now working on the theme of political dynasties, a hot topic in Indonesia since the election of President Prabowo Subianto. Prabowo is a former son-in-law of Suharto and his vice-president is the son of the outgoing head of state Joko Widodo, in a country long known for its political nepotism. — AFP
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 | Which health insurance plan may be right for you? Health | Pay first, deliver later: Some women are being asked to prepay for their baby 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.BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) on Monday said regional countries stand to benefit significantly from early warning systems (EWS) that are tailored to the unique geographic, demographic and infrastructural factors of each island. It said that by designing and customising these systems to address the specific challenges and needs of individual nations, disaster risk management and resilience can be enhanced ensuring that each country is better prepared to respond effectively to natural hazards. The CDB said that a high-level panel of experts explored the ideas in a discussion on ”Strengthening Hydro-meteorological & Early Warning Systems in the Caribbean” at the just concluded United Nations Conference of Parties (COP 29) in Azerbaijan. It said the panel emphasised the critical role of early warning systems in mitigating the impacts of climate change, particularly the increasing intensity of hurricanes and other extreme weather events. The experts also highlighted the need for a long-term, sustainable strategy focused on building resilience at both national and regional levels. In 2022, the United Nations launched Early Warnings for All, an initiative designed to ensure that everyone is protected from hazardous weather, water, or climate events through life-saving early warning systems by the end of 2027. The CDB said that it has been working with regional and international partners to strengthen the region’s disaster risk management capacity, providing technical assistance and financial support for the development of robust early warning systems. Acting CDB’s Vice President of Operations, Therese Turner-Jones, noted the importance of incorporating the unique characteristics of each island into the design of EWS in the region to reduce loss of life and property and enhance preparedness for climate-related disasters. “Early warning systems are just like having a smoke alarm in your home when something bad is about to happen. It is important for countries to recognise that the system must be country-specific because the islands of the Caribbean, while sharing commonalities, also have distinct features. “While there is a lot of homogeneity, there are also many idiosyncratic features. For example, Grenada with the Grenadines, the Bahamas with family islands, and Guyana with indigenous communities that are remote. We need to design systems that can reach everyone,” said Turner-Jones. The Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Elizabeth Riley, highlighted the significance of standardised tools, deeper understanding of risk and the need for strong national and regional policy frameworks that take into account gender considerations. “Early warning systems are people centred and are about keeping people safe. These systems must be grounded in strong governance and require coordination among multiple actors at both the national and regional levels. “We have worked extensively on developing policies and legislative frameworks for early warning systems in the region,” said Riley. Other panellists in the discussion underscored the need for a sustainable, long-term approach that goes beyond addressing immediate hazards and emphasised the importance of stronger partnerships, improved financing mechanisms, better data systems, and more integrated approaches to disaster risk management and climate adaptation. The head of the Climate Risk and Early Warning System Secretariat (CREWS) of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), John Harding pointed to the responsibility of national governments for issuing warnings and stressed the need for long-term financing solutions while noting that current funding mechanisms often rely on short-term, project-based approaches. “We need better financing solutions to ensure these systems are not just reactive but proactive in addressing the growing climate risks. Technological advances such as mobile alerts are making these systems more effective and accessible but we need continued support to bridge the financing gap,” said Harding. The Chief Climate Change Officer at Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change in Belize, Edalmi Pinelo shared insights into the country’s ongoing efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness through its participation in the Green Climate Fund (GCF). She emphasised the importance of improving disaster knowledge and ensuring public outreach. “In Belize, we are focusing on prevention and preparedness, integrating climate change education into our school systems to equip future generations with the knowledge to adapt,” said Penelo. The CDB said it was recently upgraded by the GCF to support projects up to US$250 million. It said it has supported implementation of EWS in countries across the region and has indicated its interest in supporting more following the upgrade by the GCF.
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Police hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO's masked killer after 'brazen, targeted' attack on NYC street NEW YORK (AP) — A gunman killed UnitedHealthcare’s CEO on Wednesday in a “brazen, targeted attack” outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding its investor conference, police said, setting off a massive search for the fleeing assailant hours before the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting nearby. Brian Thompson, 50, was shot around 6:45 a.m. as he walked alone to the New York Hilton Midtown from a nearby hotel, police said. The shooter appeared to be “lying in wait for several minutes” before approaching Thompson from behind and opening fire, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Police had not yet established a motive. “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target,” Tisch said, adding that the shooting "does not appear to be a random act of violence.” Surveillance video reviewed by investigators shows someone emerging from behind a parked car, pointing a gun at Thompson’s back, then firing multiple times from several feet away. The gunman continues firing, interrupted by a brief gun jam, as Thompson stumbles forward and falls to the sidewalk. He then walks past Thompson and out of the frame. “From watching the video, it does seem that he’s proficient in the use of firearms as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. Hegseth fights to save Pentagon nomination as sources say Trump considers DeSantis WASHINGTON (AP) — A defiant Pete Hegseth fought to save his nomination to be Donald Trump's defense secretary Wednesday as the president-elect considered possible replacements in the face of growing questions about the former Fox News host's personal conduct and ability to win Senate confirmation. Hegseth met with legislators on Capitol Hill, conducted a radio interview and released an opinion article denying allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking. He insisted he was “not backing down one bit," that Trump was still supporting him and he planned to return Thursday for more meetings with lawmakers. But the president-elect's team was looking at alternatives including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trump himself remained quiet about Hegseth while issuing a flurry of statements on social media Wednesday about other nominees and his news coverage. Hegeth, asked if he'd meet with Trump on Thursday, said he'd meet with him “anytime he'd like." Hegseth is the latest nominee-designate to be imperiled by personal baggage after the recent withdrawal of Trump’s initial pick for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, whose vulnerabilities were well-documented. But Hegseth’s past, including the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies, was not widely known. Supreme Court seems likely to uphold Tennessee's ban on medical treatments for transgender minors WASHINGTON (AP) — Hearing a high-profile culture-war clash, the Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed likely to uphold Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The justices’ decision, not expected for several months, could affect similar laws enacted by another 25 states and a range of other efforts to regulate the lives of transgender people, including which sports competitions they can join and which bathrooms they can use. The case is being weighed by a conservative-dominated court after a presidential election in which Donald Trump and his allies promised to roll back protections for transgender people, showcasing the uneasy intersection between law, politics and individual rights. The Biden administration's top Supreme Court lawyer warned a decision favorable to Tennessee also could be used to justify nationwide restrictions on transgender healthcare for minors. In arguments that lasted more than two hours, five of the six conservative justices voiced varying degrees of skepticism of arguments made by the administration and Chase Strangio, the ACLU lawyer for Tennessee families challenging the ban. Peter Navarro served prison time related to Jan. 6. Now Trump is bringing him back as an adviser WASHINGTON (AP) — Former White House adviser Peter Navarro, who served prison time related to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, will return to serve in Donald Trump’s second administration, the president-elect announced Wednesday. Navarro, a trade adviser during Trump’s first term, will be a senior counselor for trade and manufacturing, Trump said on Truth Social. The position, Trump wrote, “leverages Peter’s broad range of White House experience, while harnessing his extensive Policy analytic and Media skills.” The appointment was only the first in a flurry of announcements that Trump made on Wednesday as his presidential transition faced controversy over Pete Hegseth, Trump’s choice for Pentagon chief. Hegseth faces allegations of sexual misconduct, excessive drinking and financial mismanagement, and Trump has considered replacing him with another potential nominee. As he works to fill out his team, Trump said he wanted Paul Atkins, a financial industry veteran and an advocate for cryptocurrency, to serve as the next chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. He wrote on Truth Social that Atkins “recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before.” Trump also said he was changing course on his choice for White House counsel. He said his original pick, William McGinley, will work with the Department of Government Efficiency, which will be run by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy with the goal of cutting federal spending. Now David Warrington, who has worked as Trump’s personal lawyer and a lawyer for his campaign, will serve as White House counsel. Israeli strikes on a Gaza tent camp kill at least 21 people, hospital says KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli airstrikes tore through a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza on Wednesday, sparking fires and killing at least 21 people, according to the head of a nearby hospital, in the latest assault on a sprawling tent city that Israel designated a humanitarian safe zone but has repeatedly targeted. The Israeli military said it struck senior Hamas militants “involved in terrorist activities” in the area, without providing additional details, and said it took precautions to minimize harm to civilians. The strike on the Muwasi tent camp was one of several deadly assaults across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. An Israeli attack in central Gaza killed at least 10 more people, including four children, according to Palestinian medics. Israel’s devastating war in Gaza, launched after Hamas’ October 2023 attack, shows no signs of ending after nearly 14 months. Hamas is still holding dozens of Israeli hostages, and most of Gaza’s population has been displaced and is reliant on international food aid to survive. Israel is also pressing a major offensive in the isolated north, where experts say Palestinians might be experiencing famine. The Biden administration has pledged to make a new push for a Gaza ceasefire now that there's a truce in Lebanon between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah, ending more than a year of cross-border fighting. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump demanded this week the release of hostages held by Hamas before he is sworn into office in January. South Korean President Yoon's martial law declaration raises questions over his political future SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — President Yoon Suk Yeol’s stunning martial law declaration lasted just hours, but experts say it raised serious questions about his ability to govern for the remaining 2 1/2 years of his term and whether he will abide by democratic principles. The opposition-controlled parliament overturned the edict, and his rivals on Wednesday took steps to impeach him. One analyst called his action “political suicide.” Yoon’s political fate may depend on whether a large number of people in coming days take to the streets to push for his ouster. Here's a look at the political firestorm caused by the martial law declaration, the first of its kind in more than 40 years. Yoon's declaration of emergency martial law on Tuesday night was accompanied by a pledge to eliminate “shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces at a single stroke.” He vowed to protect the country from “falling into the depths of national ruin.” Yoon, a conservative, cited repeated attempts by his liberal rivals in control of parliament to impeach his top officials and curtail key parts of his budget bill for next year. French lawmakers vote to oust prime minister in the first successful no-confidence vote since 1962 PARIS (AP) — France’s far-right and left-wing lawmakers joined together Wednesday in a historic no-confidence vote prompted by budget disputes that forces Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his Cabinet members to resign, a first since 1962. The National Assembly approved the motion by 331 votes. A minimum of 288 were needed. President Emmanuel Macron insisted he will serve the rest of his term until 2027. However, he will need to appoint a new prime minister for the second time after July’s legislative elections led to a deeply divided parliament. Macron will address the French on Thursday evening, his office said, without providing details. Barnier is expected to formally resign by then. A conservative appointed in September, Barnier becomes the shortest-serving prime minister in France’s modern Republic. White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official on Wednesday said at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered new details about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that the number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could still grow. The U.S. believes that the hackers were able to gain access to communications of senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures through the hack, Neuberger said. “We don’t believe any classified communications has been compromised,” Neuberger added during a call with reporters. Harris found success with women who have cats, but Trump got the dog owner vote: AP VoteCast WASHINGTON (AP) — The lead-up to the 2024 election was all about cat owners. But in the end, the dogs had their day. President-elect Donald Trump won slightly more than half of voters who own either cats or dogs, with a big assist from dog owners, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters. Dog owners were much more likely to support the Republican over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. Cat owners were split between the two candidates. About two-thirds of voters said they own a dog or cat, but pet owners don't usually get much attention from politicians. This year, however, past comments by Trump's running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, about “childless cat ladies” briefly became a campaign issue — and Taylor Swift signed her Instagram endorsement of Harris in September as “Taylor Swift Childless Cat Lady.” Harris did end up decisively winning support from women who owned a cat but not a dog. Still, those voters were a relatively small slice of the electorate, and pet owners as a whole did not seem to hold Vance's remarks against the GOP ticket. Childless or not, women who only owned a cat were more likely to support Harris than were dog owners, or voters who had a cat and a dog. About 6 in 10 women who owned a cat but not a dog supported Harris, according to AP VoteCast. She did similarly well among women who did not own either kind of pet.Trump nominates cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins as SEC chair
PALERMO, Calif. (AP) — Two children were wounded Wednesday in a shooting at a tiny religious K-8 school in Northern California and deputies arrived to find the gunman on the ground near the playground, dead after apparently shooting himself, sheriff’s officials said. The children were taken to nearby hospitals and their conditions were not immediately known. One was airlifted to a nearby hospital. Officials did not share information about their ages nor genders. The shooting occurred at about 1 p.m. at the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists, a private school in Palermo with fewer than three dozen students. Palermo has about 5,500 people and is about 65 miles (104 km) north of Sacramento. It was the the latest among dozens of school shootings across the U.S. in recent years, including especially deadly ones in Newtown, Connecticut ; Parkland, Florida ; and Uvalde, Texas . The shootings have set off fervent debates about gun control and frayed the nerves of parents whose children are growing up accustomed to doing active shooter drills in their classrooms. But school shootings have done little to move the needle on national gun laws. Firearms were the leading cause of death among children in 2020 and 2021, according to KFF, a nonprofit that researches health care issues. “My heart is breaking for everyone impacted by this tragedy,” Assemblyman James Gallagher, whose area includes Palermo, said in a statement. “As a community, we’ll all be hugging our loved ones closer today as we pray for the victims and try to make sense of something so senseless.” Related Articles National News | 3 US Army soldiers arrested on human smuggling charges along the border with Mexico National News | White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign National News | Powell: Fed’s independence from politics is vital to its interest rate decisions National News | US senators grill airline officials about fees for seats and checked bags National News | California ranks No. 9 for economic ‘balance’ between bosses and workers Butte County Sheriff Kory L. Honea said the shooter did not appear to have a connection to the school, and the motive was not immediately known. They were working to identify him. Near the school’s slide and other playground equipment was the shooter’s body, covered in a blue tarp, as officers stood nearby to secure the scene. The school abuts ranchland where cattle graze. Honea said 911 calls reported “an individual on campus who had fired shots at students.” When deputies arrived they found the gunman on the ground, dead after apparently shooting himself, Honea said. Authorities rushed students off the grounds and to the Oroville Church of the Nazarene to be reunited with their families, the sheriff’s office said. Representatives for the Northern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists could not immediately be reached for comment. The school has been open since 1965, according to its website.
Undefeated Oregon and No. 23 Texas A&M will collide Tuesday afternoon in Las Vegas in the second game of the new Players Era Festival. Both teams are in the "Power" group of the eight-team event. All eight teams are receiving $1 million for their name, image and likeness (NIL) collectives, but placing fourth or higher in the tourney in order will net them anywhere from $1.1 million to $1.5 million. The Aggies (4-1) opened the season with a three-point loss at UCF, but since then have won four straight, all in convincing fashion. Texas A&M upset then-No. 21 Ohio State 78-64 on Nov. 15 at home in College Station, Texas. Then the Aggies crushed Southern 71-54 last Wednesday, when Wade Taylor IV led the way with 17 points and six assists. All of Texas A&M's wins have been by double digits. The Aggies and Ducks (5-0) have split the two previous meetings against each other. Until March 2022 in an NIT second-round game, they had not met since the 1970-71 season. Texas A&M tied the overall series with a 75-60 win at home in 2022. The only player on the Ducks' current roster who played in that game was 7-foot senior Nate Bittle, who has been one of Oregon's best players so far this season. Bittle's 16.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game lead the Ducks so far this season, and the big man also averages two blocked shots per game. Texas A&M guard Zhuric Phelps, a transfer from SMU, leads the Aggies in scoring at 16 points per game. Taylor adds 14 points per game. The Aggies could be the best defensive team the Ducks will have seen this season. A&M is allowing teams to shoot only 36.6 percent in games. Head coach Buzz Williams and his staff are hoping the team gets better at taking charges on defense, as the Aggies have just one so far this season. "I guess the thing that you work on most is verticality around the rim," Texas A&M assistant coach Steve Roccaforte told KBTX television. "‘Hey, once you get there, if you try and take a charge, it's going to be a block. Just jump as high as you can, stay vertical, try to go chest-to-chest. Make it a hard shot.'" Oregon is coming off a 78-75 win at Oregon State, the Ducks' first road game of the season. The Ducks trailed by 10 points at halftime but, as they have in several games this season, they found a rhythm on offense in the second half and came up with a comeback win. Bittle's 23 points and 14 rebounds led the way. Jackson Shelstad had 15 points and Jadrian Tracey and Keeshawn Barthelemy both added 10. "We started rebounding the ball a little better. Nate really got it going inside and our guys got him the ball," Oregon head coach Dana Altman told the school's athletics website. "He had a heck of a game." --Field Level Media
PALERMO, Calif. (AP) — Two children were wounded Wednesday in a shooting at a tiny religious K-8 school in Northern California and the shooter died from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot, sheriff’s officials said. The children were taken to nearby hospitals and their conditions were not immediately known. One was airlifted to a nearby hospital. Officials did not share information about their ages nor genders. The shooting occurred at about 1 p.m. at the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists, a private school in Palermo with fewer than three dozen students. Palermo has about 5,500 people and is about 65 miles (104 km) north of Sacramento. It was the the latest among dozens of school shootings across the U.S. in recent years, including especially deadly ones in Newtown, Connecticut ; Parkland, Florida ; and Uvalde, Texas . The shootings have set off fervent debates about gun control and frayed the nerves of parents whose children are growing up accustomed to doing active shooter drills in their classrooms. But school shootings have done little to move the needle on national gun laws. Firearms were the leading cause of death among children in 2020 and 2021, according to KFF, a nonprofit that researches health care issues. “My heart is breaking for everyone impacted by this tragedy,” Assemblyman James Gallagher, whose area includes Palermo, said in a statement. “As a community, we’ll all be hugging our loved ones closer today as we pray for the victims and try to make sense of something so senseless.” Butte County Sheriff Kory L. Honea said the shooter did not appear to have a connection to the school, and the motive was not immediately known. They were working to identify him. Near the school’s slide and other playground equipment was the shooter’s body, covered in a blue tarp, as officers stood nearby to secure the scene. The school abuts ranchland where cattle graze. Honea said 911 calls reported “an individual on campus who had fired shots at students.” When deputies arrived they found the gunman on the ground, dead after apparently shooting himself, Honea said. Authorities rushed students off the grounds and to the Oroville Church of the Nazarene to be reunited with their families, the sheriff’s office said. Representatives for the Northern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists could not immediately be reached for comment. The school has been open since 1965, according to its website.
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