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Christian McCaffrey knee injury update: 49ers RB expected to miss six weeks after being placed on IRNew York Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Aaron Rodgers “absolutely” will remain the team's starting quarterback and start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Rodgers, who turns 41 next Monday, has been hampered at times during the Jets' 3-8 start by various injuries to his left leg, including a sore knee, sprained ankle and balky hamstring. Ulbrich said Monday the quarterback came back from the team's bye-week break ready to go. “All I can say, and you'd have to ask Aaron if he's fully healthy, but he's better off today than he's been as of late,” Ulbrich said. "So he's definitely feeling healthier than he has probably for the past month. A healthy Aaron Rodgers is the Aaron Rodgers we all love. “So, I'm excited about what that looks like.” NFL Network reported on Sunday that Rodgers, who missed all but four snaps last season with a torn left Achilles tendon, has declined having medical scans on his injured leg so he can continue to play. The New York Jets are turning to one of their former general managers to help them find their next GM and head coach. The franchise announced Monday that The 33rd Team, a football media, analytics and consulting group founded by former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, will assist team owner Woody Johnson in the searches. Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman, former GM of the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings, will be The 33rd Team's primary representatives in helping find replacements for former coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas. SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy took part in some light throwing on Monday after missing his first career game because of an injury and the 49ers are hoping he can return this week. Purdy hurt his throwing shoulder during a loss to Seattle on Nov. 17. Purdy underwent two MRIs last week that showed no structural damage. But Purdy he felt discomfort after making a few throws at practice on Thursday and was shut down for the game at Green Bay on Sunday that San Francisco lost 38-10. Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Purdy made it through the session without pain and will rest on Tuesday and hopefully be able to return to practice on Wednesday as the Niners prepare to play at Buffalo this coming week. “We rested it throughout the weekend hoping that would help,” Shanahan said. “He threw lighter today to see if that rest helps and the rest did help him. So we’ll see again, going through the same things we did last week. We’re going to let him rest all the way up to Wednesday. We’ll see how it feels on Wednesday and then we’ll take the exact same course throughout the week. Hopefully it responds better this week than it did last week with the rest.” Brandon Allen went 17 for 29 for 199 yards with a touchdown, an interception and a lost fumble in his first start since the 2021 season. Allen would play once again if Purdy is unable to go on Sunday at Buffalo. FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The NFL removed New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers from the commissioner exempt list on Monday, making him eligible to participate in practice and play in the team’s games. Peppers missed seven games since being placed on the list on Oct. 9 after he was arrested and charged with shoving his girlfriend’s head into a wall and choking her. The league said its review is ongoing and is not affected by the change in Peppers’ roster status. Braintree, Massachusetts, police said they were called to a home for an altercation between two people on Oct. 7, and a woman told them Peppers choked her. Police said they found at the home a clear plastic bag containing a white powder, which later tested positive for cocaine. Peppers, 29, pleaded not guilty in Quincy District Court to charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a Class “B” substance believed to be cocaine. At a court appearance last week a trial date was set for Jan. 22. HENDERSON, Nev. — Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew is out for the rest of the season with a broken collarbone, coach Antonio Pierce said Monday. Minshew was injured with 3:12 left in Sunday's 29-19 loss to the Denver Broncos. Pierce will have to decide whether Aidan O'Connell or Desmond Ridder will start Friday's game at Kansas City. The Raiders, who have lost seven consecutive games to fall to 2-9, could use a spark. Minshew's grip on the starting job was tenuous even before he was injured. He threw 10 interceptions to just nine touchdown passes this season and Minshew also lost four fumbles. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence will practice Monday and “we'll see where he's at from there,” coach Doug Pederson said. Lawrence missed the past two games, losses to Minnesota and Detroit, with a sprained left shoulder. Lawrence had extra time to rest during Jacksonville's bye week. The Jaguars (2-9) host AFC South-leading Houston (7-5) on Sunday and need a victory to avoid being eliminated from playoff contention. Pederson said Lawrence is “feeling better" and they will know more about his playing status following practice Wednesday. Lawrence took a hit to his left shoulder while scrambling at Philadelphia on Nov. 3. Instead of sliding, he chose to go head-first and got hammered by linebacker Zack Baun. Lawrence has practiced some in a limited role since, but was inactive for both games. Get local news delivered to your inbox!AP Trending SummaryBrief at 4:46 p.m. EST
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When people think of Japan, the word “materialistic” rarely comes to mind. However, when tourists visit here for the first time, they often find the reality quite different from their expectations. Instead of the maiko, ninja and robots they anticipated, they are greeted by crowds of ordinary people decked out in expensive brand-name goods. Rather than streets lined with anime and video game shops, they see an endless array of European fashion house stores. If they dare to venture inside, the sticker shock often sends them right back onto the street. Some might even experience a Japanese version of Paris syndrome, a term coined to describe the mental break some Japanese tourists experienced in the 1970s when their romanticized vision of Paris clashed with reality. Most of us wouldn’t dream of browsing at haute couture shops like Hermès, Dior or Saint Laurent. Yet, luxury goods at surprisingly low prices are abundant throughout Japan. If you’re after a Louis Vuitton bag, a Supreme hoodie or Gucci sunglasses, you’re likely to find a deal. Luxury at a bargain sounds suspicious, but Japan’s stringent anti-counterfeit laws mean you can rest assured that the products are genuine. However, there’s a catch: they’re second-hand. Whether young or old, male or female, many Japanese people have a deep affection for luxury items. Japan is one of the largest markets for European and American luxury brands, a cultural phenomenon that dates back to post-war Japan. In the 1950s, Japan was recovering rapidly after the devastation of World War II. Standards of living were improving, and everyone coveted what were referred to as the “sanshu no jingi” or “three sacred treasures.” Originally describing imperial regalia, the phrase was repurposed to signify the era’s most desired items: a black-and-white TV, a refrigerator and a washing machine. As the economy surged, the 1960s brought a new trio of sacred treasures — the “three Cs”: a car, a color TV and an air conditioner. Many upgraded to color TVs during the excitement of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. By the 1980s, Japan’s booming economy saw it poised to overtake the U.S. as the world’s largest. Basic household items were no longer the pinnacle of desire; instead, luxury brands became the new status symbols for those with disposable income. By the 1990s and 2000s, luxury items were ubiquitous among Japanese people. It wasn’t just the wealthy buying designer goods; even average individuals carried at least one luxury accessory. Today, it’s not uncommon to see an elderly person of seemingly modest means pull out a Louis Vuitton wallet at a cashier. Even after the economic bubble burst in 1989, certain industries have continued to thrive. Toyota, headquartered in Nagoya, is a prime example, with its stock reaching an all-time high in 2024, marking a 500% increase over the last two decades. This success has brought prosperity not only to Toyota but also to the many companies connected to it. While often overshadowed by Tokyo and Osaka, Nagoya’s affluent residents have embraced luxury shopping in a significant way. An executive from a top European luxury brand’s Japan headquarters revealed to me that Nagoya — not Tokyo or Osaka — now boasts the highest volume of “private shopping .” What’s that you may ask? Well, mere peasant, it is when you are so rich that the store visits your home with a selection of goods for you to choose from. Once such rich people tire of their purchases, many will opt to sell and replace them with something from the newest line. Maintaining appearances is a critical part of Japanese culture, so if an item is outdated or slightly worn it often prompts people to upgrade. Thus, even the middle-class will often replace their luxury goods. In this way, many Japanese people, especially younger women, end up becoming working poor just to keep up with the trends. Either that or some may even resort to enjo kosai (compensated dating, i.e., having a sugar daddy) to support such a lifestyle. Japan’s obsession with luxury and desire to keep up with the Kobayashis has created a thriving second-hand market for luxury goods. Major chains like Second Street, Kaitori Oukoku, Book Off Super Bazaar and Surugaya offer a treasure trove of used items, particularly clothing. Jewelry-focused stores like Komehyo are also popular. Online marketplaces like Mercari and Yahoo! Auctions have great deals as well, but for clothing and accessories, trying them on in person is essential and thus physical stores are a must. Unlike Salvation Army thrift stores in the U.S., Japanese second-hand shops are renowned for their pristine inventory. Unlike Salvation Army thrift stores in the U.S., Japanese second-hand shops are renowned for their pristine inventory. This reflects a cultural tendency to meticulously maintain possessions, making it possible to find high-quality used goods at a fraction of their original price For sellers, the downside of this market is the low resale value. Japanese consumers often view second-hand items as inherently undesirable, regardless of their condition or original price. This dynamic, combined with the sheer volume of luxury goods circulating in Japan, creates a buyer’s paradise for those open to purchasing pre-owned items. As far as ubiquity in Japanese second-hand shops, for American brands it would be Ralph Lauren and Coach, for British brands it would be Burberry and Paul Smith, and for European brands it would be Louis Vuitton and Gucci. There is a very wide variety of other brands as well. You’ll also find affordable luxury options like Lacoste, Fred Perry, Guess and Tommy Hilfiger. Even though they are not as popular overseas, for some reason, Diesel and Stussy always have huge sections as well. Bags and accessories from Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Chanel, Dior and Fendi are plentiful, alongside sportswear brands like Moncler and The North Face. Also, don’t forget that some Japanese fashion houses can rival European and American brands. Japan’s Comme des Garçons is hugely popular among young people in Japan. So, for sure you will be able to find one of their classic heart t-shirts at a discount. There’s also Junya Watanabe, Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto and Sacai. Don’t think that because it’s “fashionable,” men are left out of the equation, either. Japan’s younger generation of men are as fashion-conscious as their female counterparts, and thus used shops usually have just as many goods for men as they do for women. There are tons of male Japanese “sneakerheads” that collect rare sneakers who have no problem spending over ¥150,000 on a pair of Balenciaga sneakers. Japan is also known for its “hypebeasts” (consumers who are obsessed with expensive, luxury goods that have artificial scarcity), who will wait in line all night and empty their bank accounts to get the latest Supreme wear. Hypebeasts are almost always male. What kind of prices can you expect? It really depends on the item and its condition, but you will often see items up to 90% off their retail price. Always wanted that cute Marimekko tote with the iconic red "unikko" flower pattern for stylish food shopping, and don’t mind a used one because it’ll just go into your rusty bicycle basket? You are bound to find one for pocket change. Or perhaps you fancy one of those Ralph Lauren fine knit U.S.A. flag sweaters, but would never part with ¥40,000 for a new one. However, certainly you’d grab one like I did if it was in perfect condition and only ¥3,000. While Japan’s reputation for high living costs is well earned, the abundance of affordable luxury goods offers a silver lining for those who covet luxury brands’ products but don’t mind second-hand items. The country’s deep cultural affinity for luxury, paired with a societal emphasis on keeping up appearances and disdain for anything used, has created a robust market for second-hand, high-end items. So, whether you’re a budget-conscious shopper, a collector or just looking to treat yourself, Japan’s second-hand luxury scene offers something for everyone. Dr. James Rogers is a tenured university professor who has published books and over 50 articles on linguistics and Japanese studies. He is the author of the book “ On Living and Working in Japan.”Rachel Christian | (TNS) Bankrate.com Just because retirement planning involves some guesswork doesn’t mean it has to be a total mystery. Related Articles Business | The year in money: inflation eased, optimism ticked upward Business | Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds Business | How to protect your communications through encryption Business | About 2.6 million Stanley cups recalled after malfunctions caused burns. Is your mug included? Business | Musk says US is demanding he pay penalty over disclosures of his Twitter stock purchases Whether you’ve been saving since your first job or you’re getting a late start, you can leverage expert-recommended strategies to gauge your progress on the road to retirement. And if you’re not quite on track, don’t sweat it — the experts we spoke to offered actionable tips to help you close the gap. 5 ways to tell if you’re on track for retirement You might have a general idea of how much money you need to save for retirement . A few quick calculations can give you an estimate, but to truly appreciate where you stand, you’ll need to dive into the numbers. Here’s how to get started. 1. Use the Rule of 25 to get a ballpark number A good rule of thumb to estimate your retirement savings goal is the Rule of 25 . Simply multiply your desired annual retirement income by 25. The result is roughly how much you’ll need to save before hitting retirement. For example, if you plan to spend $50,000 a year, you’ll need about $1.25 million to make it a reality. The Rule of 25 is based on the idea that withdrawing 4% annually from your retirement savings should last you about 30 years. While it’s not an exact science by any means — health care costs and lifestyle changes can skew the numbers, for example — the Rule of 25 can be a good starting point to figure out how much you need to save. 2. Compare your savings to Fidelity guidelines Fidelity Investments, a behemoth in the retirement planning space, offers savings guidelines to help you determine if you’re on track . —By age 30: Save 1x your annual salary —By age 40: Save 3x your annual salary —By age 50: Save 6x your annual salary —By age 60: Save 8x your annual salary —By age 67: Save 10x your annual salary For example, if you earn $60,000 annually, you should aim for $600,000 in savings by age 67. But like the Rule of 25, Fidelity’s guidelines offer a 10,000-foot look at retirement goals, and they’re not customized to your situation. Maybe you earned a low salary in your 20s, but you’re working hard in your 30s to make up for it. Use these estimates as a benchmark — but don’t get discouraged if you’re lagging behind. 3. Use an online retirement calculator Now it’s time to zoom in a little. To get a clearer snapshot of your progress, use an online retirement calculator. These tools factor in your age, current savings, income and lifestyle goals to estimate whether you’re on track. You’ll get a more refined estimate without crunching the numbers yourself. Bankrate’s retirement calculator even lets you input different rates of return on your investments and accounts for estimated annual salary increases. 4. Map out your retirement budget Having a general savings goal is nice, but to avoid falling short in retirement, you’ll need more than a ballpark figure. Experts recommend creating a retirement budget to get an up-close-and-personal look at how much you’ll really need once you leave the workforce. First, estimate how much you’ll spend per month in retirement. While some costs will increase, like health care, others will likely decrease, like dining out and commuting. “Estimating expenses can be challenging for some people, so as a starting point, I often use your net take-home pay,” says Jeff DeLarme, a certified financial planner and president of DeLarme Wealth Management. For example, if you receive a direct deposit of $2,500 every two weeks from work, use $5,000 as your estimated monthly spending in retirement. “Assuming this was enough to pay the bills while working, we can use $5,000 a month as a starting budget to plan for,” says DeLarme. Next, map out your sources of income in retirement. Social Security is the largest income stream for most retirees, but don’t neglect other inflows, such as: —Workplace retirement accounts, like 401(k)s —Personal retirement accounts, like a traditional or Roth IRA —Pensions —Annuities —Selling your home or business —Rental income —Inheritance “If there’s a gap between your expected expenses and income, you’ll have a good idea of how much you need to save,” says Mike Hunsberger, a certified financial planner and owner of Next Mission Financial Planning. From there, you can adjust your savings and investment strategy accordingly. 5. Talk to a financial adviser For something as important (and complex) as retirement planning, it pays to speak with a professional. Financial advisers can analyze your savings, investments and retirement goals to create a personalized plan. Advisers use special planning software that account for more variables than an online calculator, giving you a much more precise, granular look at your financial life in retirement. Many financial advisers can also help you optimize your tax strategy, which can potentially save you thousands of dollars over time. Make sure the adviser you hire is a fiduciary , meaning they’re legally obligated to prioritize your interests over their own. A fiduciary won’t push investments to earn a commission or recommend products that aren’t aligned with your needs. A certified financial planner is one of the most well-recognized designations for fiduciaries. You can use Bankrate’s adviser matching tool to find a certified financial planner in your area in minutes. 5 ways to catch up on retirement savings Maybe you did the math and realized you’re not quite where you need to be. Don’t panic if you’re behind schedule. Here are five strategies experts recommend to help you catch up on your retirement savings . 1. Scale back your spending now and in retirement Cutting expenses now frees up more cash to invest in your retirement accounts. Evaluate your budget and identify areas where you can cut costs, like dining out, streaming subscriptions or shopping. Don’t rule out bigger lifestyle changes either, especially if retirement is rapidly approaching. Housing is the biggest monthly expense for most people. Getting creative here can help amplify the amount you can sock away, says Joseph Boughan, a certified financial planner and managing member at Parkmount Financial Partners. It can also reduce your expenses in retirement, so you may not need to save as much as before. “Downsizing can be a great way to cut expenses,” says Boughan. “This can even free up cash if you don’t end up needing all that money for a new home.” Moving somewhere with lower property taxes or income taxes can also help bring your retirement plan back in line. And if you’re a renter, making tough short-term decisions, like taking on a roommate or moving to a lower cost-of-living area, can free up hundreds of dollars a month for your retirement. “Everyone’s plan is unique, so exploring all the options is important,” Boughan says. Joe Conroy, a certified financial planner and owner of Harford Retirement Planners, recommends taking a “retirement test drive” as you near your target date. “Start to live on what income you think you can afford in retirement and stash all the extra income into savings and investments,” says Conroy. “If you can make it through each month, you’re ready for retirement. If you run short, then adjust your plan accordingly.” 2. Delay retirement by a year or two Working a little longer can be a game-changer for your retirement nest egg. Not only does it give you more time to save, it also gives your investments room to grow. “Working longer or even just part time for a few years early in retirement is one of the best ways to reduce the amount of money you need to save,” says Hunsberger. Postponing retirement can also boost your Social Security benefits . “You can claim as early as 62, but your benefits will be reduced significantly,” says Hunsberger. Meanwhile, each year you delay claiming Social Security benefits beyond your full retirement age , your monthly check will increase by 8%, though this benefit maxes out at age 70. So waiting can really pay off. 3. Save more It may seem obvious, but if you’re behind on retirement savings, you’ll need to boost your contributions as much as possible. Here are a few ways to make saving for retirement easier: —Increase your contribution rate: Allocate a larger portion of your paycheck to a workplace retirement plan. Even bumping up your contributions by 1% or 2% can make a huge difference down the road. —Take advantage of your employer match: Don’t leave free money on the table. Many employers will chip in between 3 and 5% depending on your plan, so make sure you’re contributing enough to take advantage of the benefit. —Use “unexpected” money to catch up: If you get a raise or bonus at work, funnel part of it directly into your 401(k). And if you get a refund at tax time, siphon some of it off to beef up your IRA. 4. Invest more aggressively If you’ve been investing in low-risk, low-return investments, you may not be keeping up with inflation, let alone growing your nest egg. Reallocating part of your portfolio to stocks or low-cost growth exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is one way to get your money working harder. Higher-risk investments like stocks carry more volatility but also offer higher potential returns. Work with a financial adviser or use a robo-adviser to strike the right balance between growth and your personal risk tolerance. 5. Take advantage of new retirement account catch-up contributions Contribution limits for 401(k) plans and IRAs are higher for people over 50. For 2025, employees aged 50 and up who participate in most 401(k) plans or the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan can save up to $31,000 annually, including a $7,500 catch-up contribution . But thanks to SECURE 2.0 , a sweeping retirement law, a new higher catch-up contribution limit of $11,250 applies for employees ages 60 to 63. So, if you’re in this age group, you can squirrel away a whopping $34,750 a year during the final stretch of your career. Of course, you’ll need a big salary (think six figures) in order to take full advantage of such massive contribution limits. But if you can afford it, these catch-up allowances can put your plan back on track, especially if you struggled to save much early in your career. Bottom line There’s no GPS to gauge your progress on the road to retirement. If you’ve veered off course or aren’t sure where to start, begin by getting a quick estimate of how much you’ll need before mapping out a retirement budget. And if you’re behind, don’t panic — adjusting your spending, boosting your contributions and speaking with a financial adviser can help you catch up. ©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Gautam Adani, nephew summoned by United States securities commission in Rs 2,200 crore bribery case
NoneFive types process of motor dipping paint 12-02-2024 10:12 PM CET | Industry, Real Estate & Construction Press release from: ABNewswire 1. PouringWhen pouring, place the stator vertically on the paint dripping tray with one end of the winding facing upward, and use a paint pot or paint brush to pour paint on the upper end of the winding. When the winding gap is filled with paint and begins to seep out from the gap at the other end, turn the stator over and pour paint on the winding at the other end until it is fully poured. 2. Drip leaching Formula. 6101 epoxy resin (mass ratio), 50% tung oil maleic anhydride. Preheating: Heat the winding for about 4 minutes, and control the temperature between 100 and 115 degrees C (measured with a spot thermometer), or place the winding in a drying furnace and heat it for about 0.5 hours. Drip. Place the motor stator vertically on the paint tray, and start dripping paint manually when the motor temperature drops to 60-70. After 10 minutes, turn the stator over and drip paint on the other end of the winding until it is thoroughly soaked. Curing. After dripping, the winding is energized for curing, and the winding temperature is maintained at 100-150 degrees C; the insulation resistance value is measured until it is qualified (20M ohm ), or the winding is placed in a drying furnace for heating at the same temperature for about 2 hours (depending on the size of the motor), and it is taken out of the oven when the insulation resistance exceeds 1.5M ohm . 3. Roller paintThis method is suitable for the varnishing of medium-sized motors. When rolling the paint, pour the insulating paint into the paint tank, place the rotor in the paint tank, and the paint surface should immerse the rotor winding for more than 200mm. If the paint tank is too shallow and the area of the rotor winding immersed in the paint is small, the rotor should be rolled several times, or the paint should be applied with a brush while the rotor is rolled. 4. ImmersionWhen repairing small and medium-sized motors in batches, the windings can be immersed in paint. When immersing, first put a proper amount of insulating paint into the paint can, then hang the motor stator in, so that the paint liquid submerges the stator by more than 200mm. When the paint liquid penetrates all the gaps between the windings and the insulating paper, the stator is lifted up and the paint is dripped. 0.3~0.5MPa pressure is added during the immersion. 5. Vacuum pressure immersionThe windings of high-voltage motors and small and medium-sized motors with high insulation quality requirements can be subjected to vacuum pressure dipping. During dipping, the stator of the motor is placed in a closed paint container and moisture is removed using vacuum technology. After the windings are dipped in paint, a pressure of 200 to 700 kPa is applied to the paint surface to allow the paint liquid to penetrate into all gaps in the windings and deep into the pores of the insulating paper. Image: https://www.mingtengmotor.com/uploads/0801cb33.png Media Contact Company Name: Anhui Mingteng Permanent-Magnetic Machinery & Electrical Equipment Co., Ltd. Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=five-types-process-of-motor-dipping-paint ] Country: China Website: https://www.mingtengmotor.com/ This release was published on openPR.
Apple accused of silencing workers, spying on personal devices
Anti-fraud efforts meet real-world test during ACA enrollment periodNone
Romanians are casting ballots on Sunday in the first round of a presidential election that could pit a far-right nationalist against the incumbent leftist prime minister in the runoff. Thirteen candidates are vying for the presidency in the European Union and NATO member country, and the vote is expected to go to a second round on Dec. 8. Polls opened at 7.00 a.m. local time (0500GMT) and will close at 9.00 p.m. (1900GMT). Romanians abroad have been able to vote since Friday. By 8 p.m. local time (1800GMT), 9.2 million people — about 51% of eligible voters — had cast ballots, according to the Central Election Bureau. The final vote could see George Simion, the leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, or AUR, face off against incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, backed by Romania’s largest party, the Social Democratic Party or PSD. The presidential role carries a five-year term and has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security, foreign policy, and judicial appointments. Romania will also hold parliamentary elections on Dec. 1 that will determine the country’s next government and prime minister. Simion, 38, is a vocal supporter of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and has long been a controversial figure. He campaigned for reunification with Moldova, which this year renewed a five-year ban on him from entering the country over security concerns, and he is banned for the same reason from entering neighbouring Ukraine. “I would like that in the next five to ten years, for Romanians to be really proud to be Romanians, to promote Romanian culture, Romanian products,” he told reporters on Wednesday in the capital, Bucharest. “As a Romanian president, I will promote Romanian interests. In most cases, Romanian interests coincide with partner interests.” Ecaterina Nawadia, a 20-year-old architecture student, said she voted for the first time in a national election on Sunday and hopes young people turn out in high numbers. “Since the (1989) revolution, we didn’t have a really good president,” she said. “I hope most of the people my age went to vote ... because the leading candidate is not the best option.” Cristian Andrei, a political consultant based in Bucharest, says Sunday’s vote will be “a tight race” in which the diaspora will likely play a key role in which candidates make it to the runoff. “We are at a point where Romania can easily divert or slip toward a populist regime because (voter) dissatisfaction is pretty large among a lot of people from all social strata,” he told The Associated Press. “And the temptation for any regime, any leader — will be to go on a populist road.” He added that Romania’s large budget deficit, high inflation, and an economic slowdown could push more mainstream candidates to shift toward populist stances amid widespread dissatisfaction. Ciolacu told the AP that if he is elected, one of his biggest goals is “to convince Romanians that it is worth staying at home or returning” to Romania, which has a massive diaspora spread throughout EU countries. “Romania has a huge chance to become a developed economy in the next 10 years, where honest work is fairly rewarded and people have the security of a better life,” he said. “But for this, we need balance and responsibility ... I am running for the Presidency of Romania because we need a change.” Other key candidates include Elena Lasconi of the Save Romania Union party, or USR former NATO deputy general secretary Mircea Geoana, who is running independently and Nicolae Ciuca, a former army general and head of the center-right National Liberal Party, which is currently in a tense coalition with the PSD. Geoana, a former foreign minister and ambassador to the United States, told the AP that he believes his international experience qualifies him above the other candidates. “I think I bring a lot of competence and experience and connections in this complicated world,” he said. Lasconi, a former journalist and the leader of the USR said she sees corruption as one of the biggest problems Romania faces and that she supports increased defence spending and continued aid to Ukraine. Romania has been a staunch ally of war-torn Ukraine since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022. But Simion of the AUR party said he opposes Romania — which has sent a Patriot missile system to Ukraine — contributing further military aid and that he hopes Trump can “stop the war.” In 2020, the AUR party went from relative obscurity to gaining 9% in a parliamentary vote, allowing it to enter parliament. Opponents have long accused Simion and AUR of being extremists, charges he denies. “We are sort of a Trumpist party in this new wave of patriotic political parties in Europe,” Simion said.TrutanklessTM Shipping GEN3: Redefining Electric Tankless Water Heating
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 | FDA authorizes clinical trials to study cannabis use for veterans with PTSD Health | Feds suspend ACA marketplace access to companies accused of falsely promising ‘cash cards’ Health | COVID-19, flu shots available — and encouraged — ahead of holiday rush Health | More foods are making us sick: What to know as foodborne outbreaks hit 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. 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